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British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said: "My thoughts are with Linda's family, who will be devastated by this tragic news. She was doing valuable work for the Afghan people," Cameron said in a statement. "Decisions on operations to free hostages are always difficult. But where a British life is in such danger, and where we and our allies can act, I believe it is right to try."<ref name="sky" >{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Kidnapped-British-Aid-Worker-Is-Killed-In-Afghanistan-During-Failed-Rescue-Attempt/Article/201010215754957?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15754957_Kidnapped_British_Aid_Worker_Is_Killed_In_Afghanistan_During_Failed_Rescue_Attempt_ |title=Kidnapped British aid worker is killed in Afghanistan during failed rescue attempt |publisher=News.sky.com |date= |accessdate=10 October 2010}}</ref> |
British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said: "My thoughts are with Linda's family, who will be devastated by this tragic news. She was doing valuable work for the Afghan people," Cameron said in a statement. "Decisions on operations to free hostages are always difficult. But where a British life is in such danger, and where we and our allies can act, I believe it is right to try."<ref name="sky" >{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Kidnapped-British-Aid-Worker-Is-Killed-In-Afghanistan-During-Failed-Rescue-Attempt/Article/201010215754957?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15754957_Kidnapped_British_Aid_Worker_Is_Killed_In_Afghanistan_During_Failed_Rescue_Attempt_ |title=Kidnapped British aid worker is killed in Afghanistan during failed rescue attempt |publisher=News.sky.com |date= |accessdate=10 October 2010}}</ref> |
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On 11 October the Cameron told media that new information indicated Norgrove may have been killed accidentally by a US grenade.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|title=UK aid worker may have been killed by rescuers' grenade|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11514210|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=11 October 2010}}</ref> |
On 11 October the Cameron told media that new information indicated Norgrove may have been killed accidentally by a US grenade.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|title=UK aid worker may have been killed by rescuers' grenade|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11514210|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=11 October 2010}}</ref> In an interview the Prime Minister said "Linda could have died as a result of a grenade detonated by the task force during the assault. However, this is not definite."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hutton |first=Robert |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-11/aid-worker-held-hostage-in-afghanistan-may-have-died-from-rescuer-grenade.html |title=Aid Worker Held Hostage In Afghanistan May Have Died From Rescuer Grenade |publisher=Bloomberg |date=11 October 2010 |accessdate=2010-10-11}}</ref> He announced a joint US/UK investigation into the incident. Earlier (on 10 October) an anonymous Afghan intelligence officer had claimed Norgrove was killed by a grenade, saying it had been thrown by her captors.<ref name="sky" /> |
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==Reactions== |
==Reactions== |
Revision as of 12:45, 11 October 2010
Linda Norgrove, a British aid worker, was taken hostage in Afghanistan in September 2010. On 8 October 2010 she was killed during a military rescue attempt by American special forces.[1][2]
Linda Norgrove
Linda Norgrove | |
---|---|
Born | Linda Norgrove 1974 Altnaharra, Sutherland, Scotland |
Died | 8 October 2010 |
Occupation | Aid worker |
Norgrove was born in Altnaharra, Sutherland, Scotland, in 1974 to John and Lorna Norgrove. She spent her childhood years on a croft in the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles, attending a small primary school in Uig. She later attended the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway. Leaving Lewis at age 17 to undertake a gap year, Norgrove worked and travelled in Belgium, Spain and France. On her return to Scotland, Norgrove studied at the University of Aberdeen, from where she gained a first-class honours degree in tropical environmental science; her course had involved work in Mexico. Norgrove was awarded a PhD from Manchester conservation policies in east Africa and degrees and other qualifications from various universities in London, the USA and Mexico. At the time of her death, Norgrove was working towards completing an MBA at the University of Warwick in addition to her aid work.[3][4]
The Scottish aid worker had earlier worked in countries including Afghanistan, Laos, Mexico, Uganda and Peru, and was involved in projects for the United Nations.[5] She was in Afghanistan at the time of her death working for aid organization Development Alternatives Inc, also known as DAI, which rebuilds businesses and infrastructure in developing nations, on an irrigation project.[6][7][8][9]
Abduction and death
Norgrove was abducted from Kunar province on 26 September 2010 while travelling with three Afghani colleagues in a two car convoy.[10][11] On 8 October 2010 she was reported to have been killed by one of her captors detonating a suicide vest as United States military forces attempted a rescue.[12][13][14]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Aafia_Siddiqui_2.png)
Within 24 hours of her abduction, contact was made with a group claiming responsibility.[15] Mohammed Osman, a Taliban commander, and other Taliban commanders reportedly insisted Norgrove would be handed over only in exchange for Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, called "Lady al-Qaeda". They tried to use Norgrove as a bargaining chip to secure the release of Siddiqui, who had been sentenced to jail for 86 years in the U.S. in September 2010 for the attempted murder of U.S. agents and soldiers.[16][17][18][19]
Norgrove was being held by two Taliban commanders, Mullah Basir and Mullah Keftan, who were both killed in the raid, an Afghan intelligence official stated after the event.[20]
British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "My thoughts are with Linda's family, who will be devastated by this tragic news. She was doing valuable work for the Afghan people," Cameron said in a statement. "Decisions on operations to free hostages are always difficult. But where a British life is in such danger, and where we and our allies can act, I believe it is right to try."[21]
On 11 October the Cameron told media that new information indicated Norgrove may have been killed accidentally by a US grenade.[11] In an interview the Prime Minister said "Linda could have died as a result of a grenade detonated by the task force during the assault. However, this is not definite."[22] He announced a joint US/UK investigation into the incident. Earlier (on 10 October) an anonymous Afghan intelligence officer had claimed Norgrove was killed by a grenade, saying it had been thrown by her captors.[21]
Reactions
William Hague the British foreign secretary, announced her death, and said that they had "failed to rescue Linda".[23] Also he stated in a written statement:" after receiving information on where she was held it was decided that, given the danger she was facing, her best chance of safe release was to act on that information.”[24]
ISAF commander David H. Petraeus, passed along his condolences and commented: "Afghan and coalition security forces did everything in their power to rescue Linda," Petraeus said. "Linda was a courageous person with a passion to improve the lives of Afghan people, and sadly lost her life in their service. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."[5]
DAI's president, James Boomgard, said: "This is devastating news. We are saddened beyond words by the death of a wonderful woman whose sole purpose in Afghanistan was to do good – to help the Afghan people achieve a measure of prosperity and stability in their everyday lives as they set about rebuilding their country.[1][25]
External links
News coverage
- "Abducted aid workers freed". Pajhwok.com. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- Richard James (26 September 2010). "UK aid worker Linda Norgrove killed in Afghanistan". Daily mail. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- British aid worker was killed by bomb vest blast during afghanistan rescue bid
References
- ^ a b Peter Beaumont. "Linda Norgrove profile: aid worker was in love with Afghanistan". Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "British aid worker dies during rescue mission". Fox News. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ The Daily Mail. The Angel of the Isles: British aid worker blown up in rescue mission after leaving humble Hebridean croft to help rebuild Afghanistan
- ^ Island community mourns kidnapped aid worker BBC News
- ^ a b By the CNN Wire Staff. "British hostage in Afghanistan killed during rescue attempt". cnn. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ "About DAI : Newsroom". DAI. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Island community in mourning for aid worker killed as she tried to help others". Dailyexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ "In Short". The Irish Times. 11 Oct 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ Christopher Leake. "Aid worker Linda Norgrove blown up by Taliban suicide vest during US rescue mission | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ "Afghanistan | Failed attempt to free kidnapped British aid worker". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ a b "UK aid worker may have been killed by rescuers' grenade". BBC News. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ "UK aid worker Linda Norgrove killed in Afghanistan". Bbc. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ Patrick Sawer and Ben Farmer. "Kidnapped aid worker killed as special forces mounted rescue". Telegraph.
- ^ "Abducted British aid worker killed in Afghanistan". Af.reuters.com. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ Starkey, Jerome. "Special Forces' nighttime raid thwarted by Afghan captors". scotsman.com. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ "British aid worker executed by Taliban". Dailyexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ Reaction: Chris Watt (1 August 2009). "A cruel and tragic end to a lifetime of devoted service - Herald Scotland | News | Home News". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 11 October 2ref name="reuters1"/>010.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Chandler, Neil (16 January 2009). "Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: News :: Afghanistan: Aid hero dies in raid fiasco". Daily Star. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ Abi, Maria. "British Aid Worker Killed in Afghanistan". .wsj.com. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
- ^ CNN Wire Staff. "British hostage in Afghanistan killed during rescue attempt". cnn. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Kidnapped British aid worker is killed in Afghanistan during failed rescue attempt". News.sky.com. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ Hutton, Robert (11 October 2010). "Aid Worker Held Hostage In Afghanistan May Have Died From Rescuer Grenade". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
- ^ "British Aid Worker In Afghanistan, Linda Norgrove Dies In Hostage Rescue Attempt". Thatsfamous.com. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Linda Norgrove, U.K. aid worker killed in Afghanistan rescue bid". Deskofbrian.com. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ "Linda Norgrove, Abducted British Aid Worker, Killed During Rescue". Huffington post. 7 October 2001. Retrieved 9 October 2010.