AFP photographer killed in Kabul blast

Kabul: Shah Marai, a photographer associated with Agence France Presse (AFP), has been killed in the Monday’s twin suicide explosions that rocked Kabul’s Shash Darak area.

He died in the second blast that was targeting a group of journalists who had rushed to the scene of a suicide attack.

Taking to his Twitter account, photojournalist Andrew Quility offered his condolences.

“Devastating news from Kabul: Eyewitnesses say longtime AFP photographer Shah Marai has been killed and other journalists injured after a bomb was detonated at the scene of an earlier attack they were covering. Thoughts with Marai’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Another Afghan photojournalist Ahmad Mukhtar also expressed his grief.

“Shocked and saddened to hear that Shah Marai is no more with us. He was a great freind and longtime journalist/ photographer with AFP. #RIP”

A Pakistan-based journalist, Owais Tohid also offered his condolences on Marai’s death.

Meanwhile, the death toll increased to 21, while 27 others were injured in the twin suicide explosions, according to Afghanistan’s Public Health Ministry.

According to local media, Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai confirmed the explosions, saying that the first bomber was on a motorbike and the second one was on foot.

No individual or terrorist group have claimed responsibility for the incident so far. (ANI)