RIP Danish Siddiqui
Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui killed in Afghanistan clashes
Kandahar/IBNS: India's Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui has been killed in clashes between Taliban and government forces in Afghanistan's Kandahar city.
Siddiqui was killed Friday while he was on an assignment in the Spin Boldak district.
Siddiqui, aged 40-41, began his career as a television journalist and later switched to photojournalism.
He joined international news agency Reuters in 2010.
Siddiqui had covered Battle of Mosul, Nepal earthquake in 2015, Hong Kong protests in 2019-2020, Delhi Riots in 2020, Rohingya refugee crisis besides COVID-19 pandemic.
On Jun 13, the photojournalist tweeted the vehicle he and other special forces were travelling in was targeted by at least 3 RPG rounds and other weapons. He was lucky to be saved.
THREAD.
— Danish Siddiqui (@dansiddiqui) July 13, 2021
Afghan Special Forces, the elite fighters are on various frontlines across the country. I tagged along with these young men for some missions. Here is what happened in Kandahar today while they were on a rescue mission after spending the whole night on a combat mission. pic.twitter.com/HMTbOOtDqN
Condoling his demise, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Farid Mamundzay tweeted, "Deeply disturbed by the sad news of the killing of a friend, Danish Seddiqi in Kandahar last night. The Indian Journalist & winner of Pulitzer Prize was embedded with Afghan security forces. I met him 2 weeks ago before his departure to Kabul. Condolences to his family & Reuters."
के लिए अपने जुनून और अफगानिस्तान के लिए प्यार के बारे में बात की।
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) July 16, 2021
उसे याद किया जाएगा। मैं उनके परिवार और रॉयटर्स के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं। 2/2
Though Siddiqui used to cover regular beats, he was mostly fond of "capturing the human face of a breaking story".
"While I enjoy covering news stories – from business to politics to sports – what I enjoy most is capturing the human face of a breaking story," he had said.
"Apart from daily features and “bread and butter” assignments, I love shooting in-depth features around the country – and also cricket, the most popular religion in India," Siddiqui had said.
Mourning his demise, senior journalist Smita Prakash tweeted, "Deepest condolences to the family of Danish Siddiqui. An ace photo journalist, he was killed covering the war in Afghanistan. What a terrible terrible loss."
Deepest condolences to the family of Danish Siddiqui. An ace photo journalist, he was killed covering the war in Afghanistan. What a terrible terrible loss. https://t.co/0m1iyGhqDH
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) July 16, 2021
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, "Terrible news coming in: @dansiddiqui (Danish Siddiqui), award winning Reuters photo journalist has been reportedly killed in an ambush in Kandahar. Was a gritty daredevil with a nose for news. Prayers.. RIP, Om Shanti."
Terrible news coming in: @dansiddiqui (Danish Siddiqui), award winning Reuters photo journalist has been reportedly killed in an ambush in Kandahar. Was a gritty daredevil with a nose for news. Prayers.. RIP, Om Shanti🙏
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 16, 2021
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