Kidnapped British Red Cross worker found beheaded in Pakistan

Quetta, Pakistan (AHN) – The beheaded body of a British Red Cross worker was found Sunday inside a bag dumped in an orchard outside the southwestern Pakistan city of Quetta.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the killing of 60-year-old Khalil Rasjed Dale, who was kidnapped by masked gunmen in January.

A note found with the victim contained the message that the kidnappers killed the Briton because their demand for $30 million ransom was not met, according to a local police official.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the British government issued statements condemning the killing of Dale, a Muslim convert.

ICRC Director-General Yves Daccord expressed condolence to the family of Dale, whom he described as a very experienced aid worker having had stints in war-torn Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The ICRC runs clinics in Quetta and its medical workers treat people wounded in war.

In his statement, British Foreign Secretary William Hague described the killing of Dale as senseless and cruel.

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