Two ISIS bombers struck Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on Monday, April 30, killing nine reporters and more than a dozen other people.
After the first bombing, journalists rushed to the scene. That’s when the next terrorist detonated his bomb, killing the nine reporters.
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer, a cameraman for the Afghan TOLO TV broadcaster, and several reporters for Radio Free Europe died, Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai told The Associated Press. Four police officers were killed.
In all, 36 people died in the attacks.
“This is a devastating blow, for the brave staff of our close-knit Kabul bureau and the entire agency,” AFP’s global news director, Michèle Léridon, told The Guardian. “We can only honor the strength, courage, and generosity of a photographer who covered often traumatic, horrific events with sensitivity and consummate professionalism.”
Radio Free Europe also confirmed that journalists Abadullah Hananzai, Maharram Durrani, and Sabawoon Kakar were killed, according to The Guardian.
Photos from Shah Marai, a Photojournalist who was Killed Today in Afghanistan – 41 photos by Marai from the past decade in Afghanistan. He was in a group journalists targeted in a suicide attack today, as they gathered to cover an earlier bombing in Kabul. https://t.co/3oZiW3xXgT pic.twitter.com/RRMHPqdGel
— The Atlantic Photo (@TheAtlPhoto) April 30, 2018
In the incident, a suicide bomber riding a bike blew himself up in the Shash Darak area of Kabul, close to the NATO headquarters, at around 8 a.m. local time. A second bomber, who was pretending to be a journalist holding a camera, then detonated his explosives, killing journalists and rescue workers. Around 45 other people were injured, the paper reported.
Ahmad Shah, a BBC reporter, was shot and killed in another incident in Khost province, the report stated.
Survivors of the twin terrorist attacks recounted the horror.
“When the explosion happened, everywhere was covered with dust and fire, it was such a horrific scene,” said Jawed Ghulam Sakhi, a 28-year-old taxi driver, as reported by AP. “I saw journalists covered with blood.”
“I don’t know who is responsible for all these attacks. Every day we lose our loved ones and no one in this government is taking responsibility for the killing of these innocent people,” said a female witness.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of all the victims, including a number of brave journalists among the dead and injured,” the U.S. Embassy in Kabul said. “Where media are in danger, all other human rights are under greater threat.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the blasts.
The ISIS terrorist group later claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to AP.
