Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Afghan officer shot journalists in revenge

The Afghanistan police officer who shot two journalists, killing one, has confessed that the attack was in revenge for NATO air raids on his village.

A picture of the Associated Press photographer Anja Niedringhaus

Authorities say the Afghan police officer who shot two journalists, killing one, did so in revenge. (AAP)

The Afghan police officer who shot two Associated Press journalists did so in revenge for air raids by NATO forces on his village, police said Saturday.

German photographer Anja Niedringhaus and Canadian reporter Kathy Gannon were shot on Friday by a police officer in the eastern province of Khost while in their car.

Niedringhaus died on the spot and Gannon was injured.

"Naqibullah, commander of a police checkpoint, said in his confession that he shot the journalists to take revenge for the NATO air raids on his village in Ghorband valley," said Khost police official Baryalay Rawan.

The two were covering the country's presidential elections in Tanai district, on the border of Pakistan's tribal areas, and which is under the heavy sway of the Taliban.

The shooter was arrested by his colleagues.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world