Linda Norgrove

Who was Linda Norgrove?

On 26 September 2010, Scottish aid worker Linda Norgrove and three Afghan colleagues were kidnapped by members of the Taliban in the Kunar Province of eastern Afghanistan. At the time, she was working in the country as regional director for Development Alternatives Incorporated, a contractor for U.S. and other government agencies. After their capture, the group was taken to the nearby Dewegal Valley area. United States and Afghan forces began a search of the area, placing roadblocks to prevent the group from being moved east into Pakistan.

Norgrove's captors demanded the release of Afia Siddiqui in exchange for her return. During negotiations, on 3 October 2010 the Taliban released the three Afghans. Five days later, amid concerns that Norgrove would be killed or moved by her kidnappers, the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group conducted a predawn rescue attempt on the Taliban mountain hideout where she was held captive. US forces killed several kidnappers and three local farmers in the assault. They subsequently located Norgrove, badly wounded, in a nearby gully; she later died from her injuries.