Ajmal Naqshbandi

freelance

April 8, 2007, in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Taliban fighters beheaded reporter Ajmal Naqshbandi in the Garmsir district of Helmand province after the Afghan government refused demands to free jailed Taliban leaders in exchange for the journalist's release.

Naqshbandi was abducted on March 4 with La Repubblica reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo and the group's driver, Sayed Agha, in Helmand province. Agha was slain a few days after the abduction, while the Italian Mastrogiacomo was released March 19 in exchange for five Taliban prisoners.

Naqshbandi, a freelance journalist with several clients, was accompanying Mastrogiacomo on a trip to interview Taliban leaders when the kidnapping took place.

Medium: Print

Job: Print Reporter

Beats Covered: War

Gender: Male

Local or Foreign: Local

Freelance: Yes

Type of Death: Murder

Suspected Source of Fire: Political Group

Impunity: Yes

Taken Captive: Yes

Tortured: No

Threatened: Yes

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