Every once in a while I run across a photographer on Flickr.com whose photography just takes my breath away. Mehraj Mir is one excellent example.

From his profile on Flickr:

I Mehraj Mir was a trained video photojournalist but decided to switch career and took up photography as a profession. Grew up amid chaos and pendamonium in the strife-torn Kashmir, India. Witnessed many important events and incidents as a teenager.Also witnessed and covered live encounters between security forces and islamic rebels.To point the example of a live encounter,i got stuck in the middle of security forces and militants. I thought that was end, but God was there to save me. Despite heavy firing i managed to shoot some important pictures..I have covered the Kashmir conflict extensively for several years now. I feel his pictures should make people aware of the grass root situation of Indian Kashmir and tell stories on how life there affects its own people.

He somehow manages to capture both the beauty and horror taking place in his city:

I invite you to see more of Mehraj Mir’s photos here.

He is 20 years old and should be encouraged to continue his art.