The rescue missions that have often ended in tragedy

OTHER rescue missions to free British hostages have not ended in success.

Linda Norgrove, pictured above, an aid worker born in Altnaharra, Sutherland, died during one such mission in Afghanistan in October 2010. Norgrove, 36, was killed by a grenade thrown by a US soldier, although Wiltshire coroner David Ridley later decided not to blame him for his tragic mistake. Three Afghans captured with her were released unharmed a few days later.

Another British hostage was killed in Nigeria in March during a UK special forces’ raid. Engineer Chris McManus, from Oldham, who was working in the West African country as a building contractor, was killed alongside Italian colleague Franco Lamolinara as Nigerian troops and British Special Boat Service commandos tried to free them.

McManus had been held by Islamic extremists since May last year after being kidnapped from his apartment at gunpoint. Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised when it emerged Italian authorities were not notified about the covert operation until it had started.

In April, Scottish aid worker Khalil “Ken” Dale – a 60-year-old Muslim convert who grew up in Dumfries – was found dead four months after being taken hostage in Pakistan and before a rescue attempt could be made. He was reportedly decapitated. The Taleban was blamed for his death, amid reports that a ransom demand was not met. He was working for the Red Cross.