Ahmed Omaid Khpalwak: Difference between revisions
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'''Ahmed Omed Khpulwak''' ( |
'''Ahmed Omed Khpulwak''' (1985 or 1986 - July 28, 2011) was a [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] [[journalist]] who worked as a [[freelance]] [[stringer (journalism)|stringer]] for the [[BBC]] since 2008.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|first=John|last=Plunkett|title=BBC journalist killed in Afghanistan |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/28/bbc-journalist-killed-afghanistan |work=[[The Guardian]] |publisher= |date=2011-07-27|accessdate=2011-08-15}}</ref> |
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Khpulwak joined the staff of the [[BBC World Service]] as a [[journalist]] on May 1, 2008.<ref name=guardian/> He worked as a stringer for the BBC, based in [[Uruzgan Province]], and was paid for each story which was published or broadcast by the BBC.<ref name=guardian/> He often reported for [[BBC World Service|BBC Pashto]] on events in southern Afghanistan.<ref name=guardian/> Khpulwak simultaneously also worked for the Pajwak Afghan news agency.<ref name=guardian/> |
Khpulwak joined the staff of the [[BBC World Service]] as a [[journalist]] on May 1, 2008.<ref name=guardian/> He worked as a stringer for the BBC, based in [[Uruzgan Province]], and was paid for each story which was published or broadcast by the BBC.<ref name=guardian/> He often reported for [[BBC World Service|BBC Pashto]] on events in southern Afghanistan.<ref name=guardian/> Khpulwak simultaneously also worked for the Pajwak Afghan news agency.<ref name=guardian/> |
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Revision as of 11:57, 20 September 2011
Ahmed Omed Khpulwak (1985 or 1986 - July 28, 2011) was a Afghan journalist who worked as a freelance stringer for the BBC since 2008.[1]
Khpulwak joined the staff of the BBC World Service as a journalist on May 1, 2008.[1] He worked as a stringer for the BBC, based in Uruzgan Province, and was paid for each story which was published or broadcast by the BBC.[1] He often reported for BBC Pashto on events in southern Afghanistan.[1] Khpulwak simultaneously also worked for the Pajwak Afghan news agency.[1]
His last two stories for Pajhwok Afghan News, before he died on July 28 in a major attack in Tarin Kot, capital of Uruzgan province, were about an attack on police checkpoints in which both Taliban and police were killed, and an interview with a would-be suicide bomber. Few of his 24 years of life saw any kind of peace in Afghanistan.[2]
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Times wrote about the text messages that Khpalwak sent to his brother in the minutes before he was killed. "Death is approaching," he messaged. "I am hiding." According to the Times, a short time later Khpalwak wrote: "If I die, pray for me." The journalist's brother believes he was reaching for his press card when he was shot. The Times adds that "the incident points up the daily dangers faced by Afghans who work for foreign organizations, as well as Afghan civilians in general, particularly those living in a broad swath of Afghanistan's restive south."[3]
Khpulwak was killed by American ISAF troops [1] on July 28, 2011, in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, when Taliban insurgents attacked government facilities in Uruzgan's provincial capital.[1] While the intended targets of the attack were Uruzgan's Governor and a militia leader named Matiullah Khan, the Taliban also stormed the offices of local radio and television stations, leading to Khpulwak being killed while hiding in a bathroom by American troops that came to sweep out the Taliban.[1] The New York Times called the attack one of the "most audacious surprise attacks" ever undertaken by the Taliban.[4]
Khpulwak, who was twenty-five years old, was survived by his wife and three month old daughter.[4]
The director of BBC Global News, Peter Horrocks, said that, "Only this morning he was reporting on BBC Pashto about another Taliban attack that happened last night. The BBC and the whole world are grateful to journalists like Ahmed Omed who courageously put their lives on the line to report from dangerous places."[1] Horrocks added that, "The sympathies of the BBC and all of his colleagues go to Ahmed Omed's family and friends." [1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Plunkett, John (2011-07-27). "BBC journalist killed in Afghanistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
- ^ Schnellinger, Lisa (2011-9-3). "Afghan journalist's death is a loss for press freedom". CPJ. Retrieved 2011-9-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Memmott, Mark (2011-9-8). "Afghan Journalist was mistakenly killed by U.S. Soldier, report concludes". NPR. Retrieved 2011-9-8.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ a b Hyland, Tony (2011-07-31). "Afghan reporter finds no safety in Diggers' zone". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2011-08-15.