US photojournalists David Gilkey, translator killed in Afghanistan: NPR

New Delhi: Celebrated American photojournalists David Gilkey and his Afghan translator were killed in Afghanistan on Sunday.

The translator was identified as Zabihullah Tamanna. Two other journalists traveling with Gilkey, named as Tom Bowman and Monika Evstatieva, were reportedly unharmed.

David and Zabihulla were on National Public Radio (NPR) assignment, traveling with an Afghan army unit, which came under attack in southern Helmand province.

"David has been covering war and conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. He was devoted to helping the public see these wars and the people caught up in them. He died pursuing that commitment," said Michael Oreskes, NPR`s senior vice president of news and editorial director.

"As a man and as a photojournalist, David brought out the humanity of all those around him. He let us see the world and each other through his eyes."

David was considered one of the best photojournalists in the world — honored with a raft of awards including a George Polk in 2010, an Emmy in 2007 and dozens of distinctions from the White House News Photographers Association.

(With Agency inputs)