2010 Badakhshan massacre

Killing of aid workers in Afghanistan October 2020 2010 Badakhshan killings Afghanistan_Badakhshan_Province_location.PNG Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan 6 August 2010 Shooting 10 On 5 August 2010, ten members of International Assistance Mission (IAM) Nuristan Eye Camp team were killed in Kuran wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan.http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/british-aid-worker-killed-in-massacre-in-afghanistan-1.1046714 British aid worker killed in massacre in Afghanistan Gannon Kathy 8 August 2010 The Herald 8 August 2010 29 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180829124741/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12599214.British_aid_worker__killed_in_massacre__in_Afghanistan/ deadhttps://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/world/asia/08afghan.html 10 Medical Aid Workers Are Found Slain in Afghanistan Nordland Rod 7 August 2010 The New York Times 7 August 2010 The team was attacked as it was returning from Nuristan to Kabul. One team member was spared while the rest of the team were killed immediately. Those killed were six Americans, two Afghans, one Briton and one German.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9HEQS801 https://web.archive.org/web/20100822022315/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD9HEQS801 dead 22 August 2010 Afghan medical mission ends in death for 10 Gannon Kathy 7 August 2010 Associated Press 7 August 2010 The identity of the attackers is unknown. When news of the killings broke, both Hizb-e Islami and the Taliban initially claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing the doctors of proselytism and spying.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7933035/Killing-of-British-doctor-in-Afghanistan-a-cowardly-act-says-William-Hague.html London The Daily Telegraph Killing of British doctor in Afghanistan 'a cowardly act' says William Hague 8 August 2010 8 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100811071447/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7933035/Killing-of-British-doctor-in-Afghanistan-a-cowardly-act-says-William-Hague.html 11 August 2010 livehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10900338 BBC News Foreign medical workers among 10 killed in Afghanistan 7 August 2010 7 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100807204951/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10900338 7 August 2010 livehttp://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE6760DN20100807 Reuters Eight foreign medical workers killed in Afghanistan 7 August 2010 8 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100821125408/http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE6760DN20100807 21 August 2010 dead These claims were later refuted by Taliban leaders in Nuristan and Badakhshan, who stated that they had confirmed the dead were bona-fide aid workers, condemned the killings as murder, and offered their condolences to the families of those killed.The Afghanistan Analysts Network: Ten Dead in Badakhshan 6: Local Taliban Say it was Murder The attack was the deadliest strike against foreign aid workers in the Afghanistan war.http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,2009399,00.html https://archive.today/20130204123135/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,2009399,00.html dead 4 February 2013 Will Aid Workers' Killings End Civilian Surge? Motlagh Jason 9 August 2010 TIME 10 August 2010https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/07/AR2010080700822.html Taliban kills 10 medical aid workers in northern Afghanistan Partlow Joshua 8 August 2010 The Washington Post 8 August 2010https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-taliban-ambush-20100808,0,1161367.story 6 Americans among 10 charity workers killed in Taliban ambush King Laura 7 August 2010 Los Angeles Times 7 August 2010https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2010/0807/International-Assistance-Mission-slayings-part-of-Taliban-war-strategy International Assistance Mission slayings: part of Taliban war strategy Jonsson Patrik 7 August 2010 The Christian Science Monitor 7 August 2010https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0807/Afghanistan-war-Deadly-ambush-of-medical-mission-roils-one-of-safest-provinces Afghanistan war: Deadly ambush of medical mission roils one of safest provinces The Christian Science Monitor The Christian Science Monitor 13 December 2014 The killings underscored the suspicion Christian-affiliated groups face from some Afghans and government opponents and the wider risks faced by aid workers in the country.https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0809/Afghanistan-aid-workers-deaths-highlights-delicate-position-of-Christian-affiliated-groups Afghanistan aid workers' deaths highlights delicate position of Christian-affiliated groups The Christian Science Monitor The Christian Science Monitor 13 December 2014 Background and context Badakhshan province borders Tajikistan and is inhabited by mostly Tajik people. It is one of the few provinces in Afghanistan which was not controlled by the Taliban when it was in power. After coming under increasing pressure by NATO forces in southern Afghanistan the Taliban have become active in areas like Badakhshan Province which were previously calm. In addition they have started using women and children as suicide bombers and targeted tribal elders, things they formerly considered taboo. Foreign aid workers have been attacked in the past but these attacks have been relatively infrequent and Taliban has allowed some aid workers in the areas they controlled. Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission stated that civilian deaths were up five percent in 2010 and Taliban was responsible for 68% of the 1325 deaths till 8 August 2010 and NATO was responsible for 28%. IAM is a Christian organization that has worked in Afghanistan since 1966. They have denied proselytizing,https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/uk-medic-afghan-murdered-christian-group UK medic may have been killed for working with Christian group Caroline Davies The Guardian 8 August 2010 8 August 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20100811032712/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/uk-medic-afghan-murdered-christian-group 11 August 2010 live as for non-Muslims it is against the law of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. According to critics propagandists of the Taliban insurgency portray their drive for power as a defense of Islam. The victims of the massacre had indeed been sponsored by a Christian charity, but that organization worked in Afghanistan since 1966, under a monarchy, a communist regime, warlords, and under the Taliban; its aid workers were said to understand the Afghan customs and sensibilities and have scrupulously obeyed prohibitions against proselytizing. http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/08/10/afghanistan_the_talibans_fake_religious_war/ The Boston Globe Afghanistan: The Taliban's fake religious war 10 August 2010 10 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100818185448/http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/08/10/afghanistan_the_talibans_fake_religious_war/ 18 August 2010 live None of the Christian non-profit's workers had ever been killed while on duty with the organisation.http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.ngo.mourns.workers.killed.in.afghanistan/26466.htm Christian NGO mourns workers killed in Afghanistan Christian Today 10 August 2010 13 December 2014 The publicity on the massacre and its aftermath coincided with the publication of the 2010 Mid-Year Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA),http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/showRecord.php?RecordId=33534 Afghanistan: Mid Year Report 2010: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110712231842/http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/showRecord.php?RecordId=33534 12 July 2011 dead https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/world/asia/11afghan.html?_r=1 The New York Times Rod Nordland Insurgents Blamed as Afghan Civilian Casualties Rise 10 August 2010 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120327032700/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/world/asia/11afghan.html?_r=1 27 March 2012 livehttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0810/Afghanistan-war-UN-report-blames-insurgents-for-rise-in-civilian-deaths Afghanistan war: UN report blames insurgents for rise in civilian deaths The Christian Science Monitor The Christian Science Monitor 13 December 2014 in which worries were expressed about the rising number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan and that was directly followed by an advice of human rights organisation Amnesty International that the Taliban should be prosecuted for war crimes.https://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/taleban-should-be-prosecuted-war-crimes-afghanistan-2010-08-10 Taleban should be prosecuted for war crimes in Afghanistan - Amnesty International 10 August 2010 13 December 2014 According to the UNAMA report, the tactics of the Taliban and other Anti-Government Elements (AGEs) were behind a 31 per cent increase in conflict-related civilian casualties in the first six months of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. Casualties attributed to Pro-Government Forces (PGF) fell 30 per cent during the same period, driven by a 64 per cent decline in deaths and injuries caused by aerial attacks. Many Afghans blame the international forces for the civilian deaths, "stirring up greater violence by fomenting new recruits for the Taliban, for arming militias in the countryside, and for propping up warlords and corrupt Afghan officials".http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1741&ctl=Details&mid=1882&ItemID=9955 Afghan civilian casualties rise 31 per cent in first six months of 2010 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100811061747/http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1741&ctl=Details&mid=1882&ItemID=9955 11 August 2010 dead https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/11/killing-fields-afghanistan London The Guardian The killing fields of Afghanistan 11 August 2010 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100811162404/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/11/killing-fields-afghanistan 11 August 2010 livehttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-schirch/what-washington-should-le_b_676621.html What Washington Should Learn From the Death of Aid Workers in Afghanistan HuffPost 10 August 2010 13 December 2014 Ambush The team, which included a doctor, a dentist and an optometrist, was returning to Kabul after providing eye care to villagers in Parun valley in Nuristan Province, south of Badakhshan Province in Northeast Afghanistan. They had been running an eye camp in Nuristan, for which they had received permission from the Afghan government. They had chosen to travel through a forest in Badakhshan as this was considered a safer route back to Kabul. The team was attacked when they stopped after fording a river. They were killed immediately, without any negotiation. The gunmen took them into the forest, stood them in a line and shot them one by one. One Afghan driver was spared after he started chanting verses from the Qur'an. When the bodies were recovered, the victims appeared to have been robbed. The two Afghans killed worked as a watchman and a cook. The bodies of the victims were flown back to Kabul on 8 August 2010. The foreigners killed were all unpaid volunteers. Victims There was a total of 10 victims:http://www.iam-afghanistan.org/ Press Release 1 International Assistance Mission: On the death of 10 of the 12 Nuristan Eye Camp team members 9 August 2010 9 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100814134925/http://www.iam-afghanistan.org/ 14 August 2010 live Mahram Ali Mahram Ali, aged 51 years,Shaila Dewan & Rod Nordland, 2010, "Slain Aid Workers Were Bound by Their Sacrifice," The New York Times (online), 9 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2014. of the Hazara ethnic minority, from Wardak, Afghanistan, was a civilian contractor that had been a worker at the National Organisation for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation's (NOOR's) maintenance workshop since 2007;http://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/mahram-ali-aid-worker-executed-in-afghanistan/ Mahram Ali, Aid Worker, Executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014 he served as a driver for the expedition, and as "watcher", to guard team vehicles.Rod Nordland, 2010, "Afghan Aid Leader Recalls Talk of Risk," The New York Times (online), 9 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2010. In this service to IAM, Ali drove and "stayed behind guarding the vehicles in Nawa when the rest of the team walked over the pass into Nuristan." Ali was described as "the only person to care for his family" by Rahim Majid, the operations manager at IAM. Ali was also survived by a wife and three young children, including one son paralyzed by polio and another son whose arm had been amputated, all supported on his monthly salary of $150. Cheryl Beckett Cheryl Beckett, aged 32 years, was an aid worker and translator, from Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, and an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She had lived and worked in Afghanistan since 2005, including with the humanitarian organization Operation Mercy, and specializing in nutritional gardening, kitchen gardening, maternal health and child care. Beckett was proficient in Pashto and joined the Nuristan eye camp team in part to assist as a translator for female patients.http://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/08/cheryl-beckett-part-of-medical-team-executed-in-afghanistan/ Cheryl Beckett part of Medical Team executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014http://www.wlwt.com/r/24558365/detail.html Owensville Native Among Aid Workers Slain in Afghanistan 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120310060611/http://www.wlwt.com/r/24558365/detail.html 10 March 2012 deadClark Kate 2011-08-05 Ten Killed in Badakhshan: One year on https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/war-and-peace/ten-killed-in-badakhshan-one-year-on/ 2026-04-21 Afghanistan Analysts Network - English ps-GB Daniela Beyer Daniela Beyer, aged 35 years,was a German linguist and translator from Chemnitz-Wittgensdorf. She specialized in German, English and Russian, whilst also speaking Dari, knowing Wakhi and Munji, as well as learning Pashto. Beyer had previously worked with the International Assistance Mission between 2007 and 2009, conducting linguistic research, and later founded a non-governmental organization dedicated to documenting and preserving minority languages in Afghanistan. She joined the eye camp team to provide translation support, particularly for female patients.https://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/daniela-beyer-executed-in-afghanistan/ Daniela Beyer Executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014[Die in Afghanistan getötete Dolmetscherin aus Sachsen ist in ihrer Kirchgemeinde in Chemnitz-Wittgensdorf beigesetzt worden. "In Afghanistan getötete Chemnitzerin beigesetzt"] Brian Carderelli Brian Carderelli, aged 25 years and from Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States, was a civilian contractor, and a professional freelance videographer who had worked with various Afghan development and humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan.http://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/bryan-carderelli-freelance-videographer-executed-in-afghanistan/ Bryan Carderelli, Freelance Videographer, Executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014Kathy Matheson (AP), 2010, "James Madison University Grad Among Those Killed in Afghanistan," The Huffington Post (online), 9 August 2010 (updated 25 May 2011), see , accessed 4 January 2014.Matthew Hay Brown, 2010, "Aid group rejects claim workers sought converts," The Baltimore Sun (blogs, online), 9 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2014. Carderelli had been working for the International School of Kabul, and documenting aid work done by the IAM and other groups. A statement released by his family said that Carderelli "loved people and was particularly concerned for the poor". He was a lifelong member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg, and a 2009 graduate of James Madison University and was approaching the one year anniversary of his service in Afghanistan. According to his family, "Brian quickly fell in love with the Afghan people and culture and hoped to stay within the country for another year", and was compiling a photographic and video album entitled "The Beautiful – It's Not All War." Thomas Grams Thomas Grams, aged 51 years, of Durango, Colorado, United States, friend of team leader Tom Little, began to work in dentistry for impoverished children about 10 years before his death, via Denver-based agency Global Dental Relief (GDR).CNN Wire Staff, 2010, "U.S. officials condemn attacks on aid workers in Afghanistan, CNN (online), 9 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2010. One of native twin brothers and dentists from Park Rapids, Minnesota,Sarah Smith, 2010 "Park Rapids graduate-turned-dentist killed on Afghanistan aid mission," Prairie Business (online), 11 August 2010, see https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032143/http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/171603/publisher_ID/40/ 4 March 2016 , accessed 4 January 2014. Grams left their "thriving" private general dentistry practice in Durango in 2007 to join GDR full-time,Mary Urashima, 2010, "A Seed Fallen to Earth: Thomas Grams gave his life helping people in Afghanistan," Surf City Voice (online), 12 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2010.Eltaf Najafizada & Susan Decker, 2010 "German, Six Americans on Medical Mission Murdered in Afghanistan Ambush," Bloomberg (online), 8 August 2010, see , accessed 4 January 2014. going first to Nepal ("trekk[ing]... halfway up... Everest, carrying dental equipment by yak"), and then several times to Afghanistan, initially as a volunteer, and later as team leader. Significant Afghanistan efforts included providing free dental care in the village Wardak, "negotiat[ing] the etiquette of the burka" to found a Kabul dental clinic (employing a local female dentist), and participating in English teaching at a local school. "[U]nassuming and modest," Grams was described by the IAM as "one of our favorit[e]" aid workers. Jawed Jawed, known by this single name, aged 24 years, from Panjshir, Afghanistan, was a civilian contractor that had been at the Eye Hospital of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health in Kabul, and was given leave to serve as the team cook at its Eye Camp.http://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/jawed-aid-worker-executed-in-afghanistan/ Jawed, Aid Worker, Executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014 This was not his first service with IAM, where he cooked and helped with dispensing eyeglasses; per the IAM, "Jawed had been on several eye camps into Nuristan in the past, and was well loved for his sense of humor", and was known for providing his collection of music tapes for weddings and parties. The principal breadwinner for his wife, three young children, and extended family, Jawed had been excited about the $20 per day in overtime that he was earning on the medical outreach trip. Jawed's brother Abdul Bagin described his killers as "infidels; not human, not Muslims... [killing] without any judgment, without any trial". Glen D. Lapp Glen D. Lapp, aged 40 years, was a nurse and executive assistant from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. Lapp was a medical volunteer with the IAM and its partner, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).Tom Knapp Lancaster MCC volunteer killed in Afghanistan http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/274770 Intelligencer Journal 8 August 2010 8 August 2010 https://archive.today/20130127155821/http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/274770 27 January 2013 dead He was serving as manager of IAM's provincial Ophthalmology program, and as an executive assistant for IAM in Afghanistan, and had been in Afghanistan for two years.Lukas Alpert American nurse, dentist identified as 2 more victims of Afghan Taliban attack on medical personnel http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/08/08/2010-08-08_american_nurse_dentist_identified_as_2_more_victims_of_afghan_taliban_attack_on_.html New York Daily News 8 August 2010 8 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100815051422/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/08/08/2010-08-08_american_nurse_dentist_identified_as_2_more_victims_of_afghan_taliban_attack_on_.html 15 August 2010 live Lapp was an alumnus of Eastern Mennonite and Johns Hopkins Universities, and had assisted the MCC in the weeks following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with regular prior nursing work Lancaster, Supai, Arizona, and New York City. Tom Little Tom Little (optometrist) Tom Little, aged 61 years, was an optometrist from Delmar, New York, United States, and leader of the IAM team. Little had worked in Afghanistan for more than three decades, having arrived in the late 1970s;http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Slain-NY-doctor-was-in-Afghanistan-for-3-decades-607024.php Slain NY doctor was in Afghanistan for 3 decades 7 August 2010 Greenwich Time 7 August 2010 June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes he had raised three daughters there,January 2015 and spoke Dari fluently. Little was posthumously recognized as International Optometrist of the Year by the World Council of Optometry,http://www.worldoptometry.org/en/news/index.cfm/2010_optometrist_of_the_year 2010 International Optometrist of the Year - Dr Tom Little 2010-09-22 2016-02-14 World Council of Optometry https://web.archive.org/web/20161124091543/http://www.worldoptometry.org/en/news/index.cfm/2010_optometrist_of_the_year 24 November 2016 dead and the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom.https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2010/11/17/president-obama-names-presidential-medal-freedom-recipients President Obama Names Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients 2016-02-14 National Archives whitehouse.gov 2010-11-17 Dan Terry Dan Terry, aged 64 years, was from Wisconsin, United States, who served as liaison with local communities, aid organizations, and the government; he had performed relief work in Afghanistan since 1971, following in his father's footsteps who had worked for IAM as the executive director. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, their spouses and seven grandchildren.http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100810/NEWS/308109989/medical-humanitarian-murdered-in-afghanistan-had-ties-to-sequim Medical humanitarian murdered in Afghanistan had ties to Sequim Peninsula Daily News 13 December 2014http://civiliancontractors.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/dan-terry-aid-worker-executed-in-afghanistan/ Dan Terry, Aid Worker, Executed in Afghanistan Overseas Civilian Contractors 9 August 2010 13 December 2014 Karen Woo Karen Woo, aged 36 years, daughter of a Chinese father and English mother,https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7933117/Family-of-British-doctor-murdered-in-Afghanistan-pay-tribute-to-true-hero.html Family of British doctor murdered in Afghanistan pay tribute to 'true hero' 9 August 2010 Telegraph(UK) 9 August 2010 London Ben Farmer Martin Evans https://web.archive.org/web/20100811072016/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7933117/Family-of-British-doctor-murdered-in-Afghanistan-pay-tribute-to-true-hero.html 11 August 2010 live was a general surgeon from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK, trained at St Mary's Hospital, London and formerly with the English healthcare organisation Bupa.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/07/karen-woo-selfless-doctor-gunned-down Karen Woo: selfless doctor gunned down in Afghanistan's badlands Boone Jon 7 August 2010 The Guardian 7 August 2010 London Woo's work involved helping pregnant women, in an area with a high global infant mortality rate.December 2019 After her death, Woo's family stated that "although very spiritual, she did not really believe in organised religion" and that her motivations were purely humanitarian.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/08/doctor-karen-woo-not-religious Doctor killed on Afghanistan aid mission was not religious, say family Boone Jon 8 August 2010 The Guardian 8 August 2010 London https://web.archive.org/web/20100817015743/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/08/doctor-karen-woo-not-religious 17 August 2010 livehttp://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1862397/?UserKey= Doctor murdered by Taliban was not 'Christian missionary' Pickover Ella August 2010 Press & Journal 9 August 2010 Woo was engaged to be married at the time of her death. Survivors The only two survivors of the eye camp team were Said Yasin and Safiullah, both Afghan. Said Yasin had left the team several days earlier and returned to Kabul by another route, whereas Safiullah was spared after reciting verses from the Koran.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/aug/09/afghanistan-medics-leader-ignored-warnings London The Guardian US leader of murdered Afghanistan medical team 'brushed aside' warnings Jon Boone 9 August 2010 10 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100815223006/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/09/afghanistan-medics-leader-ignored-warnings 15 August 2010 live Responsibility The local officials initially stated that the motive was robbery, but after interviewing witnesses they changed their view and said that Taliban was responsible. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacks and accused the victims of being "American spies" and "proselytizing Christianity".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10900338 Foreign medical workers among 10 killed in Afghanistan 7 August 2010 BBC News 7 August 2010 He also claimed that the victims had Bibles in their possession which had been translated into Dari, the local language.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10905838 Afghan police hunt killers of Dr Karen Woo 8 August 2010 BBC News 8 August 2010 However, another group also was mentioned, the Hizb-i-Islami (HIA) of warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar."Hezb-e-Islami killed 2 Afghans and 8 foreigners" https://web.archive.org/web/20110717070506/http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/235-hezb-e-islami-killed-2-afghans-and-8-foreigners 17 July 2011 "HIA claims killing medics"June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/07/c_13434356.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20121106191529/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/07/c_13434356.htm dead 6 November 2012 2 militants groups claim responsibility for killing 8 foreigners in NE Afghanistan 13 December 2014http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/hizbiislam_taliban_b.php Hizb-i-Islami, Taliban both claim killing 10 medical workers in northern Afghanistan 7 August 2010 13 December 2014 Earlier claims of the Taliban were refuted by Qari Malang, the representative of the Western Nuristan Taliban. He said that commanders from Nuristan had not carried out the killings and they had launched an investigation to find out who had. "We shall inform you of the results when it is concluded. We regret these killings and strongly assert that this is not the work of the Taliban who will never do harm to genuine aid workers... as soon as we manage to apprehend those responsible for this act, we shall subject them to whatever punishment our laws prescribe." Dirk Frans, executive director of the IAM in Kabul, doubted whether the local Taliban were behind the attack, http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6781Z820100809 https://web.archive.org/web/20201129082914/https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6781Z820100809 dead 29 November 2020 Reuters Aid group doubts Afghan Taliban killed medical team 9 August 2010 11 August 2010 in contrast to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which directly blamed the Taliban for what she described as a "despicable act of wanton violence".. In her reaction on 8 August 2010, she stated: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless act. We also condemn the Taliban’s transparent attempt to justify the unjustifiable by making false accusations about their activities in Afghanistan. Terror has no religion (...), they have shown us yet another example of the lengths to which they will go to advance their twisted ideology."https://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/08/145782.htm Killing of medical aid workers in Afghanistan 24 June 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170924205101/https://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/08/145782.htm 24 September 2017 dead http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/08/09/2010-08-09_despicable_killers_hil_lashes_taliban_thugs_who_wiped_out_med_team.html New York Daily News Ryan Lavis Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lashes out at Taliban thugs after medical team murders 8 August 2010 11 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100817043630/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/08/09/2010-08-09_despicable_killers_hil_lashes_taliban_thugs_who_wiped_out_med_team.html 17 August 2010 live Reactions In the weeks following the attack a senior Taliban leader, Qari Malang (the representative of the Western Nuristan Taliban) stated "We have checked the facts regarding these foreigners, and our people in the area have confirmed that they were bona fide aid workers and had been providing assistance to the population. Furthermore, we have learnt that among the killed foreigners, was Dan Terry, who had a long history of helping our people, including in Kunar and Laghman provinces and that he had previously provided welfare assistance to the families of those civilians martyred in bombardments... We pass on our condolences to the families of those killed." After the massacre, the IAM stated that they had no plans to leave Afghanistan.http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100810_Despite_massacre__aid_group_says_it_has_no_plans_to_leave_Afghanistan.html Despite massacre, aid group says it has no plans to leave Afghanistan Reid Robert 10 August 2010 The Philadelphia Inquirer 10 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100817173629/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100810_Despite_massacre__aid_group_says_it_has_no_plans_to_leave_Afghanistan.html 17 August 2010 live US Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into the attacks according to a spokesman from US embassy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/09/AR2010080903079.html The Washington Post David Nakamura FBI will conduct autopsies on 6 American aid workers slain in Afghanistan 10 August 2010 11 August 2010 Former Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah who is a physician himself and trained with Tom Little deplored the killings and called the attackers "enemies of the Afghan people."https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10908807 Afghan politician Abdullah praises killed medics 8 August 2010 BBC 8 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100808185800/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10908807 8 August 2010 live United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who emphasized that "health workers must have access to treat those in need and must be able to do so without fear".https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35565&Cr=afghan&Cr1= United Nations News Centre 9 August 2010 UN News Service Section 13 December 2014 His Special Representative Staffan de Mistura said "The United Nations condemns this serious crime and apparent cold-blooded execution."http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1762&ctl=Details&mid=1920&ItemID=9946 Press Statements – UN envoy on medical workers killed in Badakhshan 9 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726085124/http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1762&ctl=Details&mid=1920&ItemID=9946 26 July 2011 dead Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith issued a statement condemning the attack and offered condolences to the victims' families.http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/govt-condemns-taliban-slayings-20100808-11pz7.html Govt condemns Taliban slayings 8 August 2010 The Sydney Morning Herald 8 August 2010 British foreign secretary William Hague condemned the attack and stated "This is a deplorable and cowardly act which is against the interests of the people of Afghanistan who depended on the services she [Karen Woo] was bravely helping to provide."https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/08/AR2010080801338.html Official: Aid worker slayings 'a deplorable and cowardly act'; all bodies recovered Partlow Joshua 8 August 2010 The Washington Post 8 August 2010 United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the killings, calling them "despicable acts of wanton violence". (see above)https://www.voanews.com/a/rights-commission--afghan-war-kills-1325-civilians-this-year-100215429/123452.html Rights Commission: Afghan War Kills 1,325 Civilians This Year 8 August 2010 Voice of America 8 August 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100813233714/http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Rights-Commission--Afghan-War-Kills-1325-Civilians-This-Year-100215429.html 13 August 2010 live Karl Eikenberry, the current United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, speaking to Afghan people said, "Their murder demonstrates the absolute disregard that terrorist-inspired Taliban and other insurgents have for your health, have for your security and have for your opportunity, They don't care about your future. They only care about themselves and their own ideology." US special envoy Richard Holbrooke stated the killers do not represent average Afghans, most of whom were shocked by these killings.http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/afghans-shocked-by-aid-worker-murders-20100810-11ugu.html Afghans shocked by aid worker murders The Sydney Morning Herald 10 August 2010 Claire Truscott 10 August 2010 See also For photographs of individual victims, and human interest details, see Shaila Dewan & Rod Nordland, 2010, "Slain Aid Workers Were Bound by Their Sacrifice," The New York Times (online), August 9, 2010, accessed 4 January 2014. 2007 South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan February 2010 Kabul attack Death of Linda Norgrove References External links Dr Karen Woo's Blog Video: British medic 'killed in Afghanistan' named, ITN News Video: Aid workers' bodies under identification process in Afghanistan, Al Jazeera English Afghanistan Category:2010 murders in Afghanistan Category:Spree shootings in Afghanistan Category:Deaths by firearm in Afghanistan Category:2010 mass shootings in Asia Category:2010 massacres in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:21st century in Badakhshan Province Category:Terrorist incidents in Afghanistan in 2010 Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2010 Category:August 2010 in Afghanistan Category:Violations of medical neutrality during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:August 2010 crimes in Asia Category:Crime in Badakhshan Province