Pajhwok reporter among 17 dead in Tirinkot attack - Afghanistan

Pajhwok's reporter was among four people killed in fighting that erupted after six suicide attackers stormed government buildings in Tirinkot, the capital of central Uruzgan province, on Thursday, officials said.

The journalists name was Ahmad Omid Khpalwak and started at Pajhwok on 8th May 2009.

Four dead bodies, including Ahmad Omaid Khpalwak's, were brought to the Uruzgan Civil Hospital from the scene of fighting, Public Health Director Khan Agha Miakhel told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said 37 injured people were under treatment. The dead included Khpalwak, two policemen and a woman, according to Miakhel. Four of the critically wounded people were referred to a medical facility of foreign forces in the city.

The journalist was in the Radio and Television Department at the time of the assault. Moments after the fighting began, the reporter sent his brother Javed an SMS, asking family members to pray for his safety.

Soon afterwards, hospital authorities informed Javed of his brother's death. Javed spoke to Pajhwok at 3.15pm, saying that he had arranged an ambulance to shift home the corpse of his brother, who also worked for the BBC.