Born and brought up in Kashmir, I start working for Associated Press in 1998 as a freelance and was hired full time in 2002. I had covered assignments range from news, features, sports, daily life, and business. In 2007 I moved to Kabul as chief photographer, Afghanistan. During my two-year stint in Afghanistan, with guidance and help from colleagues, I successfully started full-time operations for photos in the Kabul bureau. During my time in Kabul, between 2007-2009 I was mostly on embeds covering the story of the allied forces as they worked on the ground in the region. In 2009 I moved back to India and now based in Mumbai. Awards Pulitzer Finalist, Breaking News Photography, 2010 For the 2009 picture of an injured American soldier was part of the AP team pictures for the unfolding Afghanistan story that year. World Press Photo, Third Prize, General News Photography, 2006 In October 2005, I covered the devastating earthquake in Kashmir which was a few miles from my own home. Overseas Press Club of America, Robert Capa Citation, 2001 POY Award of Excellence, Feature Photography, 2007 For the Afghan widow’s photo shot in 2006 while on assignment covering relief work by the ngo CARE in Kabul Deadline Club of America, NYC Chapter, Feature Photo Finalist, 2007 For the Afghan widow’s photo shot in 2006 while on assignment covering relief work by the ngo CARE in Kabul China International Press Photo Contest (CHIP) Awards between 2005 – 2010 I’ve won 5 CHIP awards
