The bureau chief of news agency Reuters in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Maria Golovnina, died in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Monday.

Golovnina, 34, was found slumped and out cold in the bureau office. She was taken to hospital, but medical teams failed to revive her.

Reuters reported its bureau chief was widely admired and loved for her courage, professionalism and compassion.

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Her career spans more than ten years with the British wire agency. Maria was described as a journalist who was always on the move. She reported from some of the globe's riskiest areas with a sober credibility that, according to Reuters, more seasoned journalists could only admire.

Golovnina was born to Russian expatriates and she grew up in Japan. Telling stories in her third language, English, she joined Reuters in Tokyo fourteen years ago. She later worked in Singapore, Seoul and London, as part of the wire agency's graduate trainee course.

Her colleagues in Islamabad paid their last respects to her late into the evening on Monday. They received well-wishers, remembering her sense of fun and her rare talent for storytelling.

Katharine Houreld, a Reuters correspondent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, said Golovnina was a great boss who is known for having a big heart, warm and someone who really cared.

Houred said the late journalist would cast a gentle but critical eye over a story, see in a snap what the piece needed and make very calm recommendations so she made people feel that they had not received any suggestions at all.

Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen Adler said Golovnina's colleagues mourn her untimely death, calling her one of the agency's finest journalists, mixing fearlessness with positive enthusiasm that drew from people respect, affection and confidence.

"She will be deeply missed," Adler added.

TagsReuters, Pakistan, bureau chief, Maria Golovnina