Dawa Khan Menapal (died 6 August 2021; sometimes written Meenapal, Minapal or Mina Pal) was the director of the Afghanistan government's media and information centre, and worked as a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.[1][2] He had previously been a journalist for Radio Azadi (formerly Radio Free Afghanistan).[3]
Dawa Khan Menapal | |
|---|---|
| Died | 6 August 2021  Kabul |
| Alma mater | |
Menapal obtained a degree in Law and Political Science at Kabul University.[4]
In 2008 he was kidnapped by the Taliban on the Kabul-Kandahar highway, but released three days later after protests by tribal leaders who respected his journalism as balanced and fair.[3][5] In 2009, he was assaulted by Afghan police.[3]
He won the David Burke Award for Distinguished Journalism in 2010, "for his professionalism in reporting from Kandahar, Afghanistan, despite harassment by government authorities and militants."[3]
On 6 August 2021 he was assassinated by the Taliban, during their retaking of the country.[1] A Taliban spokesman said he had been "punished for his deeds".[2] He was attacked by gunmen on Darul Aman Road in Kabul while going to Friday prayers.[1][2]