American journalist, Afghan interpreter killed in Helmand

An American photojournalist and Afghan interpreter working for U.S.-based National Public Radio were killed on Sunday afternoon after their vehicle came under fire in southern Afghanistan.

David Gilkey, 50, and Zabihullah Tamanna, 38, were on assignment and traveling with the Afghan army near Taliban-contested Marjah district in Helmand province when their vehicle was hit by “shellfire,” according to a NPR statement. Two other NPR staff, Tom Bowman and producer Monika Evstatieva, were unhurt.

The road between Marjah and Lashkar Gah had only recently been reopened by security forces after heavy fighting in the area. The details of the attack and the journalists’ deaths were confirmed by the 205th Corps commander, General Mohammed Amin.

NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman and producer Monika Evstatieva were also in the convoy, traveling in a separate vehicle. They were not injured.

“We are devastated by the death of David and Zabihullah,” Jarl Mohn, NPR’s chief executive officer, said in the statement. “Horrific incidents like this remind us of the important role journalists play in America’s civic life.”

David was considered one of the best photojournalists in the world — honored with a raft of awards including a George Polk Award in 2010, a national News and Documentary Emmy in 2007 and dozens of distinctions from the White House News Photographers Association, including 2011 Still Photographer of the Year.

US Secretary of State John Kerry released the following statement:

“I was saddened to learn today of the death of an NPR photographer, ‎David Gilkey, and his colleague Zabihulla Tamanna, who were part of a crew reporting on Afghan forces in the southern part of the country.

This attack is a grim reminder of the danger that continues to face the Afghan people, the dedication of Afghan national defense and security forces to securing their country, and of the courage of intrepid journalists — and their interpreters — who are trying to convey that important story to the rest of the world.

David Gilkey certainly never shied away from conveying those stories, whether there in Afghanistan or Somalia, Haiti, Gaza, Iraq and dozens of other places around the world. He was ‎more than a gifted photographer. He was a gifted story‎teller, who understood the power of imagery to enhancing the power of understanding. He will be sorely missed.

Teresa and I send our t‎houghts and prayers for these courageous individuals to their colleagues, friends and families.”

The incident highlighting the growing dangers faced by journalists covering the worsening conflict in Afghanistan.