An American photojournalist and his Afghan translator have been killed in an attack in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported Monday.

The two journalists were killed as they were travelling with an Afghan army unit that came under fire in southern Helmand province, their employer National Public Radio has announced.

The American photojournalist has been identified as David Gilkey and his translator has been identified as Zabiullah Tamana.

Two other journalists travelling with Mr Gilkey, named as reporter Tom Bowman and producer Monika Evstatieva, were unharmed.

NPR said the vehicle in which Mr Gilkey, 50, and his translator were travelling was struck by shellfire near the town of Marjah.
“David has been covering war and conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11,” said Michael Oreskes, NPR’s senior vice president of news and editorial director.