Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has ordered a joint U.S. and U.K. investigation into the death of a British aid worker who was previously said to have been killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. There is evidence that she might have inadvertently been killed in a blast set off by U.S. troops who were sent to save her.
Linda Norgrove, 36, who worked for a U.S. aid group, was captured with three Afghan colleagues on a project in the lawless Kunar Province. She was killed on Friday, the day of the unsuccessful rescue mission.
British Foreign Minister William Hague said on Saturday that she had died at the hands of her captors. However, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday that evidence had emerged that suggests it is possible that Norgrove was accidentally killed by friendly fire. Cameron said that he had been notified by Gen. Petraeus’s staff about the evidence.
“That evidence, and subsequent interviews with the personnel involved, suggests that Linda could have died as a result of a grenade detonated by the task force during the assault,” Cameron told a news conference at his Downing Street office.
“However, this is not certain, and a full U.S.-U.K. investigation will now be launched,” he said. Petraeus was already scheduled to visit the U.K. on Thursday, and Cameron said the matter would be discussed.
Hague told Parliament on Monday afternoon that evidence had emerged after the first announcements of Norgrove’s death. “The initial viewing of the various videos that were taken during this action suggested that it was an explosion caused by the hostage takers that had cost Linda Norgrove her life.”
Hague told the members of Parliament. “It was on a second viewing by different U.S. personnel that it appeared there was another possibility.” He also said that the group who abducted Norgrove has links to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda.
The prime minister said that there was evidence that the Taliban captors planned on sending Norgrove to high-ranking members of the Taliban and to move her to a more remote location. Cameron said he took full responsibility for authorizing the raid.
“We were clear that Linda’s life was in grave danger, and the operation offered the best chance of saving her life.” Cameron praised the soldiers who took part in the rescue operation.
“Gen. Petraeus ... and U.S. forces did everything in their power to bring Linda home safely,” he said. “We should remember that Linda was being held at a remote location high in the mountains. This was a very difficult operation. Ultimately, the responsibility for Linda’s death lies with those who took her hostage.”
Linda Norgrove, 36, who worked for a U.S. aid group, was captured with three Afghan colleagues on a project in the lawless Kunar Province. She was killed on Friday, the day of the unsuccessful rescue mission.
British Foreign Minister William Hague said on Saturday that she had died at the hands of her captors. However, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday that evidence had emerged that suggests it is possible that Norgrove was accidentally killed by friendly fire. Cameron said that he had been notified by Gen. Petraeus’s staff about the evidence.
“That evidence, and subsequent interviews with the personnel involved, suggests that Linda could have died as a result of a grenade detonated by the task force during the assault,” Cameron told a news conference at his Downing Street office.
“However, this is not certain, and a full U.S.-U.K. investigation will now be launched,” he said. Petraeus was already scheduled to visit the U.K. on Thursday, and Cameron said the matter would be discussed.
Hague told Parliament on Monday afternoon that evidence had emerged after the first announcements of Norgrove’s death. “The initial viewing of the various videos that were taken during this action suggested that it was an explosion caused by the hostage takers that had cost Linda Norgrove her life.”
Hague told the members of Parliament. “It was on a second viewing by different U.S. personnel that it appeared there was another possibility.” He also said that the group who abducted Norgrove has links to the Taliban and to al-Qaeda.
The prime minister said that there was evidence that the Taliban captors planned on sending Norgrove to high-ranking members of the Taliban and to move her to a more remote location. Cameron said he took full responsibility for authorizing the raid.
“We were clear that Linda’s life was in grave danger, and the operation offered the best chance of saving her life.” Cameron praised the soldiers who took part in the rescue operation.
“Gen. Petraeus ... and U.S. forces did everything in their power to bring Linda home safely,” he said. “We should remember that Linda was being held at a remote location high in the mountains. This was a very difficult operation. Ultimately, the responsibility for Linda’s death lies with those who took her hostage.”
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