David Gilkey, considered as one of the best photojournalists in the whole world, was killed in an Afghanistan attack on June 5 with NPR interpreter and photographer Zabihulla Tamanna.
Both were on an assignment in Marjah, southern Afghanistan. The Taliban attacked the Afghan army unit that they were on. Two other journalists, Producer Monika Evstatieva and Tom Bowman, who were with them, are still alive.
There is no report yet whether there are fatalities or injuries among the escorting Afghan army personnel.
Gilkey specializes in covering conflict and war stories in Afghanistan and Iraq. His stories have opened the public's eyes on the wars. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including George Polk Award and an Emmy. He was named Still Photographer 2011 by the White House News Photographers Association.
Fellow journalists are saddened by the death of the National Public Radio personality.
NPR chief executive office Jarl Mohn sends out his sympathy to Gilkey's family, friends and colleagues.
"All Things Considered" host Audie Cornish said on his Twitter account that Gilkey is an "unimaginable loss" because he is a great journalist.
CNN correspondent Ivan Watson, who once worked with Gilkey said the deceased was a "generous and patient" teacher in terms of combat reporting. "He was a master storyteller of all types and genres," he said.
"As a man and as a photojournalist, David brought out the humanity of all those around him." NPR senior vice president of news Michael Oreskes said in a press release. "He let us see the world and each other through his eyes."
Committee to Protect Journalists stated that ever since 9/11 attacks, there were 31 media personnel who have been killed in Afghanistan, mostly work-related. Its program coordinator Bob Dietz said that there were too many journalists who have died while on duty for covering the Afghan story.
Gilkey was 50 and Tamanna was 38.
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