A BBC reporter has been killed in the east Afghan province of Khost, on a day of attacks which left nearly 40 people dead, other journalists among them.

Ahmad Shah, 29, had worked for the BBC Afghan service for more than a year.

In a statement, BBC World Service Director Jamie Angus said Shah had been a "respected and popular" journalist.

Khost police chief Abdul Hanan told BBC Afghan that Shah had been shot by unidentified armed men. He said police were investigating the motive.

Locals told the BBC that Shah had been on his bicycle when the attack happened. He was then taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Aida AYSA,

“Khalg gazeti”