From Afghanistan to Libya, Iraq to Thailand, the world gets to see the conflict through the cameras and pens of war-groomed Kashmiri journalists. P A Mushtaq reports.
In the second week of April, Srinagar-born Associated Press photojournalist Altaf Qadri, 35, got separated from a battery of reporters covering conflict in Libya in North Africa. Qadri escaped unhurt the battleground of eastern Libyan city of Ajdabiya and reached safely to his office in Benghazi after 30 hours. Qadri’s work reflecting trail of the battle between Libyan head Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists and rebels were published across the globe, opening a window for readers to peep into the war from a distance.
“I went into hiding when Gaddafi forces launched a surprise attack on the rebels, who made a hasty retreat. My driver drove off without even waiting for me.
I was hiding for 30 hours and left the area only after the rebel forces regained control of that area,” recalled Qadri, who won the prestigious World Press Photo award in the People in News category this year.
Twenty-two years of bloody conflict in Kashmir has given vast experience to journalists with many of them covering conflicts across the globe and winning recognition and laurels. Photographer Rafiq Maqbool of Associated Press was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for a picture taken in Afghanistan.
“Kashmiris have always excelled. It has, to my mind, been always a matter of getting an appropriate opportunity, just like anyone else anywhere else. What has helped Kashmiri professionals of late is a more critical assessment of the relationship between a conflict and how it is portrayed in the mainstream media. That has added to the quality of international reporting opportunities they have been able to bag successfully,” said Parvaiz Bukhari, first among Kashmiri journalists to cover wars like Iraq and Afghanistan during his stint with Zee News and Star News.
Bukhari, at present a freelance journalist, traces growth of Kashmiri journalists in their reach to outside world. “Travelling by Kashmiri journalists across the globe has also been in some way a function of how the global corporate media has been evolving – sourcing talent from wherever it is available. And also because the Internet has enabled work of journalists to travel and be noticed better than ever before,” said Bukhari.
International and national news organisations choose Kashmiri journalists to report from war zones as they have experience in reporting conflict.
“In 2001, I was asked to cover Afghan war. My experience in the Kashmir valley made me the best option available with my organisation to select me to cover Afghanistan. They have already seen my handling of the Kargil war single-handedly despite various technical constraints. It was a two-month assignment in Afghanistan initially and my photographs found place in leading papers and the websites around the globe, prompting my office to call me again for five more trips to the war-torn nation between 2004 and 2010,” said Tauseef Mustafa, a photojournalist with the Agence France Presse (AFP).
But the wars have never been an easy story for journalists. “The most dangerous moment I encountered was when I went to report the fall of the last bastion of the Taliban control, the city of Taluqaan, in Afghanistan. Along with a small group of reporters, I entered the city even before the Northern Alliance troops spread to take control.
I have never seen so many dead bodies lying at one place – all over the roads and streets of the town. The town had witnessed intense aerial bombing by the US B52 bombers the previous night. Locals said ‘no Pakistanis’ present in the area were spared. I was trying to align my Sat-Phone when a group of Northern Alliance armed men appeared in front of me in that chaos and thought I was a Pakistani. They were about to shoot me when I managed to take my passport out and quickly shouted who I was and showed them,” recalls Parvaiz.
It was a close brush for Suhail Bukhari, a reporter with NewsX television, too in Libya. “On the outskirts of Ras Lanuf, I was interviewing a 65-year-old rebel, whose two sons were killed by the Gaddafi forces. While the interview was on, we were bombed by Gaddafi’s airforce, the incident was captured live. I am really happy to be alive,” said Suhail.
It’s not only the wars in the Muslim countries which were covered by Kashmiri journalists. “I am the first photojournalist to cover Red Shirt protests in Thailand. I clicked the pictures of the final day when Thai army launched operation to evict protester who had occupied many of Bangkok’s main squares. The army tanks destroying Red Shirt camps were very much appreciated by my office and were played globally,” said Fayaz Kabuli, a photojournalist with Reuters.
Ironically, it has been easy for Kashmiri journalists to cover conflicts abroad then the one they live in. “Reporting your own conflict is perhaps the most difficult to do in journalism, even though there may be a lot of advantages in terms of knowing the complexities and nuances. Kashmir, to my mind is perhaps the most complex conflicts in the world – not because of what it is about as much as how it plays out given its prolonged nature and propaganda that surrounds it. Reporting Kashmir is much about dealing with entrenched perceptions helped create by the same entities or spaces a journalist may be reporting for,” said Parvaiz.
But Suhail sees Kashmir conflict a low-arms conflict with lesser risks than places like Libya. “Unlike the urban warfare that is more prevalent in Kashmir, Libya has been an experience with far more risks involved. We haven’t seen bombing by air here. Moreover, Libya is a full blown war,” said Suhail.
Kashmir or Libya, journalists from the state have proved a point: they are masters in covering the conflicts.
Braving odds
Tauseef Mustafa, 39, who clicked Iraq and Aghan wars for AFP, says that one needs to confidence to work in a war zone.
Kashmir Life: You covered Afghanistan war. How did it happen?
Tauseef Mustafa: In 2001, I got a call from my office to get prepared for the assignment in Afghanistan for two months, which incidentally was my first assignment outside India. In my opinion, my experience in the Kashmir valley made me the best option available with my organisation to select me to cover Afghanistan. They have already seen my handling of Kargil war single handedly despite various technical constraints. The digital cameras were not available and we used to work by noikon FM2 Film Camera. Kargil war coverage and the appreciation I got gave me a tremendous boost.
KL: For how long did you stay in Afghanistan?
TM: It was two month assignment in Afghanistan. My photographs, however, found place in leading papers and websites around the globe, prompting my office to call me again for five more trips to the war torn nation from 2004 to 2010.
KL: How difficult is it to cover conflict?
TM: Covering conflicts is always a danger. You don’t know what is in store. A minor miscalculation could land you in trouble. There is always a risk. Blasts, firing, suicide attacks and ambushes are a regular feature.
KL: Have you worked in other conflict zones?
TM: I have worked twice in Iraq, including the dangerous Falluja, Mousul and Basra. My first trip to Iraq was in year 2004 for two months. I was again called for covering the events in the country next year. I also got an opportunity to cover the first elections after the fall of Saddam Hussain. It was more dangerous than Afghanistan.
KL: Any memorable episode, you would like to share?
TM: I was in Stryker vehicle with the US army in Mousul in Iraq. Suddenly, a blast occurred and the vehicle, weighing 50 tonnes, was thrown up more than two feet in the air. Luckily, all the occupants escaped unhurt. Sniper fire and rocket attacks were a daily routine in the country.
KL: Why do you think Kashmiri journalists/photojournalists are being asked to cover conflict zones?
TM: Kashmiri journalists or photo-journalists have an edge over their counterparts as they have been, braving all odds and threat to their lives, covering Kashmir. Keeping the experience of covering the conflict zones aside, you have to exhibit your potential and work hard to win the confidence of your employer.
Leaving footprints
Fayaz Kabli of Reuters was among the few photojournalist who were present when army removed the Red Shirt protestors from main squares of Bangkok, Thailand.
Kashmir Life: You were only Kashmiri reporter who covered the Red Shirt protests in Thailand?
Fayaz Kabli : Yes, I am the first photojournalist to cover Red Shirt protests in Thailand. I clicked the pictures of the final day the Thai army launching operation to evict protester, who had occupied many of Bangkok’s main squares. I also captured the army tanks destroying Red Shirt camps. The pictures were played globally. There were many dangers. I was briefed by my colleagues and chief photographer of Thailand Damir Sagolj about the dangers of covering the protests. There were reports of many protesters holding weapons and using them against the army.
KL: You have also won awards?
FK: I think if I am satisfied with the job I do honestly, that is the best award for me. Yes, I received 2nd prize in General News category in China International Press photo Award for a picture of Indian police beat up Kashmiri protesters during first phase of state elections in 2010.
KL: You have worked in a few conflict zone, which one did you find the most difficult to work in?
FK: I think the Red Shirt protests in Bangkok, Thailand, was the most difficult to cover. There were many reasons. First many of Thai people don’t speak English and to communicate with them was a difficult task. Second, the nature of protests. It was all over Bangkok and protesters were defying everything.
KL: Any memorable incident in Thailand?
FK: During a pre-dawn operation by the army against protesters on the final day, my hotel was just next to the main site of protesters camp. When a journalist friend of mine from India woke me up at 2 am in the night to say that army had started operation, I looked out from the 32nd floor of my hotel room.
I was shocked to see army tanks moving on a flyover and cordoning the area. At that point of time, I was surprised that no army soldier stopped me from coming out of the hotel. I was thinking that not this may be other soldier will shout at me and ask me to go back, but there was nothing of the sort. But, surprisingly, the soldiers on the streets in Bangkok offered me water and advised me how to be on safer side while covering situation. The soldiers at every point were so polite and humble that I started compare in my mind the two armies, one at home and one offering me water during their biggest operation.
KL: How do you see Kashmiri journalists emerging on the world scene?
FK: I think Kashmiri journalists are at par with other international journalists. They have left their foot prints across the globe.
Making a mark
Twenty-seven-year-old Suhail Bukhari was sent to Libya to report the conflict in Libya
Kashmir Life: At a young age you were asked to cover Libya. How was it reporting conflict for the first time?
Suhail Bukhari: When I was entering Libya through east, the rebels didn’t allow me and asked me to return to Egypt. When I asked why, they said it was not fair that I was arriving after 15 days of the first strike in the country. I was depressed as nothing seemed to be convincing them till I told them that I was from Kashmir. It meant not only entry but great facilitation, including guidance and a cup of coffee.
KL: Was it a challenging job?
SB: It was a close brush on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf when we were approaching a check post of the rebels. The area was bombed by Gaddafi air force. Earlier we decided to return to Benghazi but finally went ahead. After examining the impact of the bombs that hit the area barely a 100 meters from where I was, I started interviewing a rebel, whose two sons were killed by Gaddafi forces. While the interview was on, we were again bombed by Gadaffi forces and the incident was captured live. I am happy to see myself alive.
KL: Any other memorable incident...
SB: We were returning to Benghazi from Tubruk. It was 10 pm, the city came under attack from Gaddafi navy. It was raining missiles that lit the dark night. Our driver abandoned the car and fled. We were left literally on the road. Thankfully, I had a Jordanian journalist accompanying me, he could speak Arabic. We managed shelter in a civilian house for a night and went to hotel next day. Interestingly, the owner of the house in response to our thanks said that it was his seer who had organized our stay in his house and facilitated everything. He named Sheik-ul-Mashaikh Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeenai (RA). He didn’t elaborate. I am still trying to figure out.
KL: How do you see the growth of Kashmiri journalists?
SB: I see it happening and hope in the days to come Kashmiri journalists will make a mark at the international level, particularly in covering conflict by virtue of sheer courage, determination, grit, appetite for taking risks, ready to go beyond comfort zones for a responsible and comprehensive reportage.
This Report was published on Kashmir Life on Monday, April 18, 2011
In the second week of April, Srinagar-born Associated Press photojournalist Altaf Qadri, 35, got separated from a battery of reporters covering conflict in Libya in North Africa. Qadri escaped unhurt the battleground of eastern Libyan city of Ajdabiya and reached safely to his office in Benghazi after 30 hours. Qadri’s work reflecting trail of the battle between Libyan head Muammar Gaddafi’s loyalists and rebels were published across the globe, opening a window for readers to peep into the war from a distance.
I was hiding for 30 hours and left the area only after the rebel forces regained control of that area,” recalled Qadri, who won the prestigious World Press Photo award in the People in News category this year.
Twenty-two years of bloody conflict in Kashmir has given vast experience to journalists with many of them covering conflicts across the globe and winning recognition and laurels. Photographer Rafiq Maqbool of Associated Press was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for a picture taken in Afghanistan.
“Kashmiris have always excelled. It has, to my mind, been always a matter of getting an appropriate opportunity, just like anyone else anywhere else. What has helped Kashmiri professionals of late is a more critical assessment of the relationship between a conflict and how it is portrayed in the mainstream media. That has added to the quality of international reporting opportunities they have been able to bag successfully,” said Parvaiz Bukhari, first among Kashmiri journalists to cover wars like Iraq and Afghanistan during his stint with Zee News and Star News.
Bukhari, at present a freelance journalist, traces growth of Kashmiri journalists in their reach to outside world. “Travelling by Kashmiri journalists across the globe has also been in some way a function of how the global corporate media has been evolving – sourcing talent from wherever it is available. And also because the Internet has enabled work of journalists to travel and be noticed better than ever before,” said Bukhari.
International and national news organisations choose Kashmiri journalists to report from war zones as they have experience in reporting conflict.
“In 2001, I was asked to cover Afghan war. My experience in the Kashmir valley made me the best option available with my organisation to select me to cover Afghanistan. They have already seen my handling of the Kargil war single-handedly despite various technical constraints. It was a two-month assignment in Afghanistan initially and my photographs found place in leading papers and the websites around the globe, prompting my office to call me again for five more trips to the war-torn nation between 2004 and 2010,” said Tauseef Mustafa, a photojournalist with the Agence France Presse (AFP).
But the wars have never been an easy story for journalists. “The most dangerous moment I encountered was when I went to report the fall of the last bastion of the Taliban control, the city of Taluqaan, in Afghanistan. Along with a small group of reporters, I entered the city even before the Northern Alliance troops spread to take control.
I have never seen so many dead bodies lying at one place – all over the roads and streets of the town. The town had witnessed intense aerial bombing by the US B52 bombers the previous night. Locals said ‘no Pakistanis’ present in the area were spared. I was trying to align my Sat-Phone when a group of Northern Alliance armed men appeared in front of me in that chaos and thought I was a Pakistani. They were about to shoot me when I managed to take my passport out and quickly shouted who I was and showed them,” recalls Parvaiz.
It was a close brush for Suhail Bukhari, a reporter with NewsX television, too in Libya. “On the outskirts of Ras Lanuf, I was interviewing a 65-year-old rebel, whose two sons were killed by the Gaddafi forces. While the interview was on, we were bombed by Gaddafi’s airforce, the incident was captured live. I am really happy to be alive,” said Suhail.
It’s not only the wars in the Muslim countries which were covered by Kashmiri journalists. “I am the first photojournalist to cover Red Shirt protests in Thailand. I clicked the pictures of the final day when Thai army launched operation to evict protester who had occupied many of Bangkok’s main squares. The army tanks destroying Red Shirt camps were very much appreciated by my office and were played globally,” said Fayaz Kabuli, a photojournalist with Reuters.
Ironically, it has been easy for Kashmiri journalists to cover conflicts abroad then the one they live in. “Reporting your own conflict is perhaps the most difficult to do in journalism, even though there may be a lot of advantages in terms of knowing the complexities and nuances. Kashmir, to my mind is perhaps the most complex conflicts in the world – not because of what it is about as much as how it plays out given its prolonged nature and propaganda that surrounds it. Reporting Kashmir is much about dealing with entrenched perceptions helped create by the same entities or spaces a journalist may be reporting for,” said Parvaiz.
But Suhail sees Kashmir conflict a low-arms conflict with lesser risks than places like Libya. “Unlike the urban warfare that is more prevalent in Kashmir, Libya has been an experience with far more risks involved. We haven’t seen bombing by air here. Moreover, Libya is a full blown war,” said Suhail.
Kashmir or Libya, journalists from the state have proved a point: they are masters in covering the conflicts.
Braving odds
Tauseef Mustafa, 39, who clicked Iraq and Aghan wars for AFP, says that one needs to confidence to work in a war zone.
Kashmir Life: You covered Afghanistan war. How did it happen?
Tauseef Mustafa: In 2001, I got a call from my office to get prepared for the assignment in Afghanistan for two months, which incidentally was my first assignment outside India. In my opinion, my experience in the Kashmir valley made me the best option available with my organisation to select me to cover Afghanistan. They have already seen my handling of Kargil war single handedly despite various technical constraints. The digital cameras were not available and we used to work by noikon FM2 Film Camera. Kargil war coverage and the appreciation I got gave me a tremendous boost.
TM: It was two month assignment in Afghanistan. My photographs, however, found place in leading papers and websites around the globe, prompting my office to call me again for five more trips to the war torn nation from 2004 to 2010.
KL: How difficult is it to cover conflict?
TM: Covering conflicts is always a danger. You don’t know what is in store. A minor miscalculation could land you in trouble. There is always a risk. Blasts, firing, suicide attacks and ambushes are a regular feature.
KL: Have you worked in other conflict zones?
TM: I have worked twice in Iraq, including the dangerous Falluja, Mousul and Basra. My first trip to Iraq was in year 2004 for two months. I was again called for covering the events in the country next year. I also got an opportunity to cover the first elections after the fall of Saddam Hussain. It was more dangerous than Afghanistan.
KL: Any memorable episode, you would like to share?
TM: I was in Stryker vehicle with the US army in Mousul in Iraq. Suddenly, a blast occurred and the vehicle, weighing 50 tonnes, was thrown up more than two feet in the air. Luckily, all the occupants escaped unhurt. Sniper fire and rocket attacks were a daily routine in the country.
KL: Why do you think Kashmiri journalists/photojournalists are being asked to cover conflict zones?
TM: Kashmiri journalists or photo-journalists have an edge over their counterparts as they have been, braving all odds and threat to their lives, covering Kashmir. Keeping the experience of covering the conflict zones aside, you have to exhibit your potential and work hard to win the confidence of your employer.
Leaving footprints
Fayaz Kabli of Reuters was among the few photojournalist who were present when army removed the Red Shirt protestors from main squares of Bangkok, Thailand.
Kashmir Life: You were only Kashmiri reporter who covered the Red Shirt protests in Thailand?
Fayaz Kabli : Yes, I am the first photojournalist to cover Red Shirt protests in Thailand. I clicked the pictures of the final day the Thai army launching operation to evict protester, who had occupied many of Bangkok’s main squares. I also captured the army tanks destroying Red Shirt camps. The pictures were played globally. There were many dangers. I was briefed by my colleagues and chief photographer of Thailand Damir Sagolj about the dangers of covering the protests. There were reports of many protesters holding weapons and using them against the army.
KL: You have also won awards?
FK: I think if I am satisfied with the job I do honestly, that is the best award for me. Yes, I received 2nd prize in General News category in China International Press photo Award for a picture of Indian police beat up Kashmiri protesters during first phase of state elections in 2010.
KL: You have worked in a few conflict zone, which one did you find the most difficult to work in?
FK: I think the Red Shirt protests in Bangkok, Thailand, was the most difficult to cover. There were many reasons. First many of Thai people don’t speak English and to communicate with them was a difficult task. Second, the nature of protests. It was all over Bangkok and protesters were defying everything.
KL: Any memorable incident in Thailand?
FK: During a pre-dawn operation by the army against protesters on the final day, my hotel was just next to the main site of protesters camp. When a journalist friend of mine from India woke me up at 2 am in the night to say that army had started operation, I looked out from the 32nd floor of my hotel room.
I was shocked to see army tanks moving on a flyover and cordoning the area. At that point of time, I was surprised that no army soldier stopped me from coming out of the hotel. I was thinking that not this may be other soldier will shout at me and ask me to go back, but there was nothing of the sort. But, surprisingly, the soldiers on the streets in Bangkok offered me water and advised me how to be on safer side while covering situation. The soldiers at every point were so polite and humble that I started compare in my mind the two armies, one at home and one offering me water during their biggest operation.
KL: How do you see Kashmiri journalists emerging on the world scene?
FK: I think Kashmiri journalists are at par with other international journalists. They have left their foot prints across the globe.
Making a mark
Twenty-seven-year-old Suhail Bukhari was sent to Libya to report the conflict in Libya
Kashmir Life: At a young age you were asked to cover Libya. How was it reporting conflict for the first time?
Suhail Bukhari: When I was entering Libya through east, the rebels didn’t allow me and asked me to return to Egypt. When I asked why, they said it was not fair that I was arriving after 15 days of the first strike in the country. I was depressed as nothing seemed to be convincing them till I told them that I was from Kashmir. It meant not only entry but great facilitation, including guidance and a cup of coffee.
SB: It was a close brush on the outskirts of Ras Lanuf when we were approaching a check post of the rebels. The area was bombed by Gaddafi air force. Earlier we decided to return to Benghazi but finally went ahead. After examining the impact of the bombs that hit the area barely a 100 meters from where I was, I started interviewing a rebel, whose two sons were killed by Gaddafi forces. While the interview was on, we were again bombed by Gadaffi forces and the incident was captured live. I am happy to see myself alive.
KL: Any other memorable incident...
SB: We were returning to Benghazi from Tubruk. It was 10 pm, the city came under attack from Gaddafi navy. It was raining missiles that lit the dark night. Our driver abandoned the car and fled. We were left literally on the road. Thankfully, I had a Jordanian journalist accompanying me, he could speak Arabic. We managed shelter in a civilian house for a night and went to hotel next day. Interestingly, the owner of the house in response to our thanks said that it was his seer who had organized our stay in his house and facilitated everything. He named Sheik-ul-Mashaikh Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeenai (RA). He didn’t elaborate. I am still trying to figure out.
KL: How do you see the growth of Kashmiri journalists?
SB: I see it happening and hope in the days to come Kashmiri journalists will make a mark at the international level, particularly in covering conflict by virtue of sheer courage, determination, grit, appetite for taking risks, ready to go beyond comfort zones for a responsible and comprehensive reportage.
This Report was published on Kashmir Life on Monday, April 18, 2011
