Ten journalists including Agence France Presse's chief photographer in Kabul, Shah Marai, were among dozens killed in attacks across AfghanistanMonday, the deadliest day for the country's media since 2001. The attacks highlight the dangers journalists face in the war-torn country, where violence is increasing as Taliban step up their compaign while the Islamic State group makes inroads. The double suicide blast in Kabul killed 29 people including a large number of journalists , is what Reporters Witout Border said was the worst lethal single attack on the media since the fall of Taliban. The attack has been claimed by IS. Kabul police spokesman said the second explosion came minutes after the first and targeted reporters at the scence. The bomber disguised himself as a journalist and detonated himself among the crowd. Journalists from Radio Free Europe and Afghan broadcasters Tolo News and 11V, as well as others, were among those killed in Kabul. Marai, joined AFP as a driver in 1996, the year the Taliban seized power, and began taking pictures on the side, covering stories including the US invasion in 2001. In 2002 he became a full-time photo stringer, rising through the ranks tobecome chief phtographer in the bureau. The 41-year-old's versatility and easy camaraderie was demonstrated moments before the second attack , as he reassured an AFP video colleague who was stuck in traffic and could not reach the scence. "No worry man, I am here" he said by whatsapp, adding that he was shooting video in addition to taking photos.
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