'Journalism Lost a Hero': Tributes Pour in for Danish Siddiqui

The Indian journalist was killed on 16 July while covering the situation in Afghanistan in the last few days.

Tributes poured in from colleagues, friends, and politicians for Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, as they condoled his untimely demise.

In his time as a photojournalist, Siddiqui covered stories in Asia, Middle East, and Europe, such as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Rohingya refugees crisis, Hong Kong protests, Nepal earthquakes, Mass Games in North Korea, and the living conditions of asylum seekers in Switzerland.

The Indian journalist was killed on Friday, 16 July, while covering the situation in Kandahar in the last few days. According to AFP, Afghan forces clashed with Taliban fighters in Spin Boldak after an operation was launched to retake the vital border crossing with Pakistan.

Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his colleagues offered their condolences.

"I am deeply saddened by the shocking reports that Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed while covering the Taliban atrocities in Kandaha. While I extend my heartfelt condolences to Sidiqqui’s family and also to our media family, I reiterate my government’s unwavering commitment to freedom of speech and protection of free media and journalists," said Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a tweet said "We have lost a photo journalist par excellence whose work underscored his commitment to humanity. (sic)"

Deeply saddened by the passing of Danish Siddiqui. We have lost a photo journalist par excellence whose work underscored his committment to humanity. Heartfelt condolences. #danishsiddiqui pic.twitter.com/BKX5Kd1tfM

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) July 16, 2021

Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur, offered his condolences and said in a tweet, "Danish Siddiqui leaves behind an extraordinary body of work."

Danish Siddiqui leaves behind an extraordinary body of work. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography and was embedded with the Afghan Forces in Kandahar. Sharing one of his pictures below. Sincere condolences. RIP https://t.co/xGhjJbsoCQ pic.twitter.com/9V7czR5DtB

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 16, 2021

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to the Government of India, 'to facilitate bringing his mortal remains back home at the earliest'.

My condolences to the family and friends of Danish Siddiqui.

I appeal to GOI to facilitate bringing his mortal remains back home at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/3xcLETl9BL

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 16, 2021

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committees in a tweet said that it was deeply saddened by the death of Siddiqui and called on “both sides of the conflict to protect journalists”.

(2/2) We express our deepest condolences to his family, Reuters, and the media community at large.

AJSC calls on both sieds of the conflict to protect journalists and urges journalists to diligently follow safety prrcautions during coverage of the war in the battlefield.

— AJSC (Afghan Journalists Safety Committee) (@ajsc_afg) July 16, 2021

Media working in #Afghanistan & journalism itself in the country is under increasing threat. Our deep condolences to family & friends of @dansiddiqi. A painful reminder of mounting dangers faced by media in Afghanistan. Authorities must investigate this & all killing of reporters https://t.co/GGMM7pIzXr

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) July 16, 2021

'He Didn't Like Being Called a Hero'

He didn't like being called a hero, but it's true, journalism has lost a hero today. Rest in peace, Danish Siddiqui. https://t.co/RK2Oz82L9V

— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) July 16, 2021

Terrible Terrible news. Our dearest Danish Siddiqui, Reuters Chief photojournalist, was killed in clashes in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was embedded with Afghan forces which came under attack by Taliban. Remember reporting with him on many assignments. RIP pic.twitter.com/htFvIT8MiG

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 16, 2021

Danish Siddiqui, one of the best photojournalists in the world, associated with Reuters, was killed in clashes in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar #Afghanistan. Afghan Media reported.

THIS IS JUST TRAGIC! pic.twitter.com/hm1jNgD5Al

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) July 16, 2021

Heart-breaking news of the loss of a very brave, very brilliant colleague. RIP Danish Siddiqui https://t.co/oaMEfCRb6p

— Emma Graham-Harrison (@_EmmaGH) July 16, 2021

So tragic to hear that my Indian friend, Pulitzer Prize winner journalist Danish Seddiqi got killed in Kandahar last night. He was embedded with Afghan forces. We met last week and he was telling me about his kids, family and his work from covering Rohingya to pandemic in India.

— Lotfullah Najafizada (@LNajafizada) July 16, 2021

My god, feeling dazed. RIP to Danish Siddiqui whose work has influenced us globally. https://t.co/ciPS07OUmp

— Anoo Bhuyan (@AnooBhu) July 16, 2021

Danish Siddiqui’s searing images on the Rohingya refugees, Delhi pogrom, & India’s Covid crisis will forever be imprinted in our minds. pic.twitter.com/SMwgmiLNTG

— Shalini (@ShaliniNair13) July 16, 2021

This is tragic.

His sensitive and insightful reportage via photos on his instagram feed was incredible.

Remember his story on the Covid affected woman / fam in Himachal? #danishsiddiqui https://t.co/9zgchzY2Ce

— 𝚊𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚊 (@Aparna) July 16, 2021