For the past few days, tensions between the Afghan Security Forces and the Taliban have been rising, with violent clashes between the two. On Friday, Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed in a tragic incident involving the two security forces. The death of the young journalist shocked the country, with condolences pouring in from all walks of life.
According to CNN-News18, the Taliban has denied any involvement in the assassination of Danish Siddiqi and expressed regret for the Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist’s death. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, as quoted by CNN-News18, denied any involvement in Siddiqui’s death, saying, “We are not aware during whose firing the journalist was killed.” We have no idea how he died.”
“Any journalist who enters a conflict zone should notify us. We’ll make sure that person is taken care of properly. We are sorry for Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui’s death. We regret that journalists enter war zones without our permission,” Mujahid was also quoted in the report as saying.
Danish Siddiqui, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was working for Reuters, a global news organisation. On Friday, he was killed in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district during clashes between the Taliban and Afghan Security Forces. He was in Kandahar to report on the tense situation in the province as the Taliban advanced toward Pakistan’s main border crossing. Around 5 p.m. (local time), his body was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Meanwhile, India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla condemned the assassination of Danish Siddiqui in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province. At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Friday, he also expressed condolences to the bereaved family of the journalists.
“We strongly condemn the assassination of Indian photographer Danish Siddiqui yesterday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while he was on a reporting assignment. I’d like to express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” Shringla explained according to Chenab Times sources.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a tweet that the journalist’s death was a painful reminder of the growing dangers that journalists face in Afghanistan. “Working in the media in Afghanistan, as well as journalism itself, is becoming increasingly dangerous. Our heartfelt condolences to @dansiddiqi’s family and friends. A sobering reminder of the growing dangers that journalists face in Afghanistan. Authorities must look into this, as well as all other cases of journalist assassination “UNAMA sent out a tweet.
The Chenab Times News Desk
