Dawa Khan Menapal

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	Kabul University

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]