Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer Killed in Taliban Crossfire

Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who was employed with news agency Reuters, was killed while reporting in Kandahar, a city in Afghanistan, on July 15.

Siddiqui was riding along with the Afghan Special Forces, and had been reporting on their operations against the Taliban in the region. Afghan special forces had been fighting to retake the main market area of Spin Boldak when Siddiqui and a senior Afghan officer were killed in what was described as ‘Taliban crossfire’, Reuters reported quoting officials.

Earlier, Siddiqui had reportedly told Reuters that he had been wounded in the arm by a shrapnel while reporting on the clash, and he was treated and had been recovering when the Taliban fighters retreated from the fight in Spin Boldak. According to reports, he was talking to shopkeepers when the Taliban attacked again.

“Danish was an outstanding journalist, a devoted husband and father, and a much-loved colleague. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time,” Reuters President Michael Friedenberg and Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni said in a statement.