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By APD writers Huang Xiaxin and Li Yajie
U.S. journalist David Gilkey of U.S. National Public Radio (NPR) and his Afghan interpreter Zabihullah Tamana, were killed as militants attacked an Afghan army convoy in southern Helmand province on June 5, 2016. This tragedy brought once again the world’s attention to the personal safety of correspondents in armed conflict zones.
Zabihullah, known as Zabi, previously served as a photographer for Xinhua News Agency’s Kabul Bureau. His death devastated everyone. The days they spent together are still alive in their memories.
The death news of Zabi
It was in 2002 when Zabi, a 1.8-meter-high handsome young man first showed up at Xinhua Kabul Bureau.
Zabi once studied medicine at Kabul University, but dropped out of school at 2001 because of the long-running war in Afghanistan.
He had a good command of English, Farsi, Dari, Pushtu and Urdu. His multilingual skill made him become an interpreter.
Zabi (L) with Chinese correspondents
“News reporting is very dangerous especially in Afghanistan. But journalists could get into the real world and let people see it through their eyes. And that’s something I could never learn in medical college. ” Zabi was influenced by his father, a former journalist, to yearn for becoming a journalist himself. And working with Chinese correspondents made him fall in love with photography.
In the beginning, Zabi served as an interpreter. But he always wanted to be a photographer, so he learned to improve his photography in his spare time. And his Chinese colleagues also gave Zabi chances to cover various news events.
Zabi(R2) with Xinhua journalists at Bamiyan Buddha sites
Through his tireless efforts, Zabi became a formal photographer of Xinhua Kabul Bureau in December, 2005. His dangerous yet remarkable journalistic career began.
The data base of Xinhua News Agency has collected thousands of Zabi’s photo reports. “My country has been at war for many years, and peace could not have been achieved in decades. I wish I could witness the changing of my country and let the world know more about Afghanistan. I’m proud with my career.”
One of Zabi’s spectacular photographic works unfolds Afghanistan’s pleasant spring. The valley is covered by flowers, peacefulness and beauty of mystery.
A photo by Zabi shows two little girls playing in field full of flowers.
Zabi was always able to provide with accurate sources timely. Every time when he was needed, he was on duty and was able to do his job well regardless of personal safety.
Photo by Zabi shows Afghanistan under terrorist attack
In December 2003, a strong earthquake hit the southern city of Bam, Iran, killing over 70 thousand people. Zabi rushed to the scene right from Afghanistan along with his Chinese colleague at Xinhua Kabul Bureau.
Zabi (L3) on a helicopter at U. S. military base at Bagram
In September 2004, the western town of Herat burst out armed conflicts between the local armed force and government troops. Zabi headed to Herat alone and did an excellent job by on-spot live text and photo coverage.
In October 2005, Pakistan was struck with a powerful earthquake. Zabi volunteered to go to the quake-stricken region through a Pakistani tribal area.
On May 29, 2006, a deadly traffic accident caused by a United States military convoy quickly escalated into a full-blown anti-American riot that raged across much of the Afghan capital, leaving at least 14 people dead and scores of others injured. Zabi went deep into the center of riot area to take photos. He witnessed a boy hit by a bullet and died on the spot. And he was attacked by furious protesters on his head and shoulder for carrying a camera. And his car was intercepted several times and almost set on fire.
Zabi’s efforts were affirmed and appreciated by all his colleagues. His photographic works were adopted widely by Xinhua as well as other news agencies. He became the first foreign employee who won Xinhua’s journalist title, and was invited to visit Xinhua head office in Beijing, Xinjiang and Shenzhen bureau as a “2006 outstanding Xinhua employee”.
Zabi engaged in journalistic work over a decade. Whether as an interpreter or a journalist, he always did some of the most dangerous works. Journalistic career is what Zabi loved and pursued, and he devoted his life for it.
File photo by National Public Radio (NPR) shows Afghan translator Zabihullah Tamanna (L), and NPR journalist David Gilkey, who were killed while on an assignment in southern Afghanistan on June 5, 2016. (NPR via AP)
On June 5, 2016, Zabi along with NPR photographer David Gilkey were killed while on an assignment in southern Afghanistan. They were traveling with an Afghan army unit when the convoy came under fire. Their vehicle was struck by shellfire.
A report issued in July this year by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that a total of 110 journalists were killed in connection with their work or for unclear reasons in 2015.
Meanwhile, a biannual report in July by Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a Geneva-based media watchdog, said that more journalists were killed in the past three years, and Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places for it has the highest number of journalists killed.
However, Zabi’s death did not terminate news reporting in this war-torn country. Xinhua sends correspondents to its Kabul Bureau one after another every year.
Fences, wires and sandbags around Xinhua Kabul Bureau, while security guard Sophie and police dog Leone on duty. Photo by Dai He
Dai He assumed his post as a chief correspondent at Xinhua Kabul bureau in 2016. He said that Xinhua Kabul Bureau is located in downtown of the capital city, where foreigners are densely populated and security is relatively tigh. There are around clock armed securities at every street, and every family has blast walls, iron wires, and every crossing has checkpoints and armored cars. Even though, foreigners are attacked every now and then. At present, there are two security guards and a police dog in Kabul Bureau, as well as body armor and helmets in case of emergencies.
Armed security guard on duty at Kabul bureau. Photo by Dai He
“Walking down the street, you can see Kabul is full of blast walls, armored cars, armed securities and gunships passing by. The scene before your eyes sometimes makes you believe that you are walking inside a prison. Graves and tombs almost occupy the whole mountain nearby Kabul Bureau,” Dai He said, adding that the biggest problem they have encountered in Afghanistan is the danger. In this war-wrapped area, everyone could be a victim, and targeted attacks against foreigners happen all the time.
Dai He (R) at one of the Kabul rehabilitation centres of International Red Cross
Lacking of safety and assurance may be one of the reasons why journalists in Afghanistan are attacked so often. Recently, there are nine journalists in Afghanistan suffered from military threatens or attacks. An Afghan journalist was shot dead in southern province of Zabul on October 16, 2016. On October 9, a group of unknown gunmen stopped Abdul Saboor, editor-in-chief of a Kabul-based English newspaper, and took his vehicle, laptop and cell phones after wounding him. Abdul Saboor sustained head injuries in the attack.
Journalist Lu Shuqun (M), reporter Abdul Haleem (L) and Jawid Omid (R) working
Security problem facing journalists has drawn more attention of the world now. Front-line correspondents in war and armed conflict areas are experiencing life and death test in ever deteriorating security environment while bringing news reports to the world.
