NATO has acknowledged that it inadvertently killed a BBC journalist in Afghanistan. Ahmed Omed Khpulwak was shot by a U.S. soldier who believed he was suicide bomber in July.
Initial reports said that he was killed by insurgents, but a more thorough investigation confirmed that he was killed by a member of NATO’s ISAF.
“The loss of Ahmed Omed is a tragedy for his family and friends as well as his colleagues at the BBC,” said Peter Horrocks, Director BBC Global News in a statement. “Ahmed Omed’s death further highlights the great dangers facing journalists who put their lives on the line to provide vital news from around the world. It is essential that journalists are given the best possible protection whilst reporting in dangerous situations so that the world can hear their stories.
“Our thoughts are with Ahmed Omed’s family and we will continue to do all we can to support them.”