The picture taken by US Army combat photographer Hilda I. Clayton as a mortar tube accidentally explodes (Picture: EPA/HILDA CLAYTON/US ARMY HANDOUT)

A war photographer captured the moment a mortar bomb accidentally exploded in Afghanistan killing her and four others.

Specialist Hilda Clayton was taking pictures of Afghan soldiers taking part in live-fire training in Qaraghahi in July 2013 when the mortar went off.

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The 22-year-old, and an Afghan counterpart, captured the exact moment the mortar exploded, killing them both and three Afghan soldiers involved in the exercise.

The combat photographer’s family have given permission for the picture to be released four years on.


The visual information specialist’s death was the first involving an Army combat documentation in the war, according to Stars and Stripes.

Afghan soldiers as the mortar tube accidentally explodes during a live-fire training exercise (Picture: EPA/AFGHAN NATIONAL ARMY/)

She had been attached to 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Forward Operating Base Gamberi and was training herself as a combat photographer.



The photos were published in the May-June edition of the Army’s Military Review journal.

‘Not only did Clayton help document activities aimed at shaping and strengthening the partnership, but she also shared in the risk by participating in the effort,’ an article accompanying the photos read.

Spc. Hilda I. Clayton. Spc. Hilda I. Clayton was killed during a deployment to Afghanistan (Picture: EPA/HILDA CLAYTON/US ARMY HANDOUT)

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