The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the rescue of a British journalist in Afghanistan but called for a safety review after his Afghan interpreter was killed in the military operation.

According to reports from Afghanistan, Nato troops raided the place where Taliban militants were holding Stephen Farrell and Sultan Munadi in the Char Dara district at dawn on 9 September. Farrell was rescued but Sultan, 34, died in the fire fight between Nato soldiers and the militants. One Nato soldier and two civilians were also killed.

"The good news of Stephen's successful rescue has been overshadowed by Sultan's tragic killing," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "It reminds us of the sacrifice that we all have to pay for media freedom."

Stephen, the New York Times reporter, was kidnapped with Sultan last week as he was investigating the Nato air attack on two fuel tankers which had been hijacked by Taliban militants. Media reports say the air strike killed many people, including civilians.

The IFJ says that journalists in Afghanistan should not be prevented from reporting independently, provided that they are confident about their personal safety and that of their local colleagues.

"The killing of Sultan brings into sharp focus the issue of safety of local personnel who are employed by foreign media organisations in Afghanistan," added White. "We must ensure that, like all reporters, they are properly trained to work in dangerous conditions."

The IFJ further calls on Nato leadership in Afghanistan to investigate the circumstances which led to Sultan's killing and engage with Afghan Association of Journalists on their safety needs.

"There is no faulting the intentions behind the rescue operation," said White. "But if lessons can be learned for the future, an investigation and review of what happened here will be helpful."

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide