Pakistan: Kidnapped ICRC Delegate Beheaded

ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) British aid worker Khalil Dale was found beheaded in Pakistan on Sunday morning, after being kidnapped in January by unidentified, armed men.

According to the ICRC press release, with assignments in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He was working as a health-programme manager in Pakistan’s Quetta/Balochistan area until he was kidnapped around 1p.m. on January 5. Director-General Yves Daccord stated that:

“The ICRC condemns in the strongest possible terms this barbaric act. All of us at the ICRC and at the British Red Cross share the grief and outrage of Khalil’s family and friends. We are devastated. Khalil was a trusted and very experienced Red Cross staff member who significantly contributed to the humanitarian cause.”

Dale’s body was found beneaded on the outskirts of Quetta, and local police state the body was discovered in an orchard, with a note attached, which Quetta police chieg Ahsan Mahoob read:

“This is the body of Khalil who we have slaughtered for not paying a ransom amount.”

Safdar Hussain, one of the doctors who examined Khalil Dale’s body, stated that his throat had been slit. He went on to explain:

“A sharp knife was used to sever his head from the body. He was killed about 12 hours ago.”

Another doctor, who examined the body at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, stated, “The body bore multiple bullet wounds and marks of tortures.”

Although the ICRC released an official statement confirming the body was that of Khalil Dale, a senior official was headed to the hospital to confirm identification. The official stated:

“A team from ICRC was sent to the hospital to identify the body. For the time being we cannot confirm anything because we are gathering more information and senior officials are on their way to the hospital.”

Prime Minister David Cameron released the following statement regarding Khalil Dale’s death:

“I was deeply saddened to hear today about the brutal murder of Khalil Dale – a man who was killed whilst providing humanitarian support to others. This was a shocking and merciless act, carried out by people with no respect for human life and the rule of law. Khalil Dale has dedicated many years of his life to helping some of the most vulnerable people in the world and my thoughts today are with his friends and family.”

Check out a news broadcast about Khalil Dale’s kidnapping here.