death september scottish aid worker colleagues kidnapped members eastern afghanistan time working country regional director contractor government agencies capture group taken nearby area united_states forces began search area placing prevent group moved east pakistan captors demanded release exchange return negotiations october released days later amid concerns killed moved conducted rescue attempt mountain hideout held captive forces killed local farmers assault subsequently located badly wounded nearby later died injuries initial reports said killed explosion set captors joint official investigation united_kingdom united_states concluded fatal injuries inflicted grenade thrown february narrative verdict reported died failed rescue attempt october colleagues said interview captors told intention killing early life education work born scotland john grew western isles attending primary school later attended attended receiving class honours degree tropical environmental science included research mexico year study attended receiving master degree distinction rural resources environmental policy received development policy management worked peru supporting later supervising wwf time death working distance learning addition aid work worked afghanistan united_nations regional director international development company based beginning february environmental specialist mexico researched effects national park management indigenous population near mount national park kidnapping september colleagues travelling known kidnapped local insurgents ambushed whilst driving main highway valley unmarked toyota military convoy ambushed months earlier stretch road wore disguise foreign appearance dressed men clothing captors taken mountains brought crosses troops infantry began day search supported army police commando units enterprise house house search conducted posted valley entrance prevent captors transferring eastward pakistan difficult terrain roads complicated slowed process search efforts succeeded containing vicinity local members killed negotiations unclear kidnapped colleagues commander pakistan based reported demand release return freedom known received year prison sentence september lucky abducted british woman soon ruthless ruling american court demand release exchange said sources denied link military sources identified captors british foreign secretary said group affiliated local known intelligence official later identified captors local commanders negotiations release conducted local tribal elders captured released october british prime minister said primary fear going passed terrorist chain increase high risk killed british foreign office asked media release details personal life captivity avoid trophy value kidnapping rescue attempt death intelligence reports indicated group local elders calling executed like russian possible reference russian war afghanistan concerns moved pakistan miles away intelligence prompted british prime minister cameron approve united_states special operations effort rescue 13th night captivity operation spearheaded seal team navy seals naval special warfare development group seals staged raid compound hideout held october stronghold surrounded foot high foot thick perimeter walls densely wooded area village feet steep mountain approximately seals 75th wearing night vision approached compound fast helicopters fired compound nearby position armed rocket propelled grenades suicide american aboard helicopter killed guards sound suppressed rifles provided troops ground close air support killing fleeing rangers secured enemy positions nearby hills gunmen fought forces killed captors dragged outside building held apparently broke away video footage raid showed explosion vicinity found injured position removed scene helicopter received medical care died initially reported killed captors setting suicide vest according guardian insurgents suicide think danger attacked commanders holding killed raid according intelligence official women children compound members rescue team wounded joint investigation british foreign secretary announced death written statement said receiving information location decided given danger facing best chance safe release act information prime minister cameron defended rescue attempt decisions operations free hostages difficult british life danger allies act believe right try october unnamed intelligence officer said killed grenade thrown captors following day cameron said new information indicated accidentally killed grenade prime minister said interview died result grenade detonated task force assault definite military statement read subsequent review surveillance footage discussions members rescue team determine cause death president barack_obama promised failed rescue attempt general commander nato security force afghanistan ordered investigation incident major general chief staff british brigadier head joint force support forces afghanistan appointed lead joint investigation reported october results expected days family kept informed investigation progress whilst military investigation conducted body returned united_kingdom october royal_air_force flight funeral ceremony attended hundreds people held october buried cemetery december announced results joint investigation concluded accidentally killed grenade thrown sailor said house_of_commons grenade thrown member rescue team feared life team insurgents emerged grenade thrown member team seen heard navy seals immediately senior officers throwing grenade breached military law number sailors disciplined post examination body conducted british october detective chief inspector told opened october salisbury court examination identified cause death penetrating fragment injuries head chest february recorded narrative verdict confirming earlier military investigations findings killed member rescue team noting gunshot wound leg received rescue contribute death october colleague fellow captive told bbc asked going kill asked planning kill talked soft language told assured killed purpose kill wanted release prisoners end released deed tributes regional director company worked kidnapped released statement words death wonderful woman sole purpose afghanistan good help people achieve measure prosperity stability everyday lives set rebuilding country praised true advocate people afghanistan dedicated bringing improvements lives spirit compassion greatly missed minister scotland said dedicated aid worker help people afghanistan hopefully legacy service humanitarian cause comfort loved ones time grief received posthumously work afghanistan family established continue relief work
Death of Linda Norgrove