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A British paratrooper was killed today with an interpreter and civilians in a fierce gun battle to free a UK journalist in Afghanistan.
Stephen Farrell, who was seized by Taliban militants four days ago, was dramatically rescued in the pre-dawn raid led by British special forces.
After a helicopter swoop on the house in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan, where the New York Times reporter and his interpreter Sultan Munadi were being held, they and Afghan troops were engaged in a fierce gun fight with the Taliban.
The special forces team extracted Farrell and raced back to the helicopters while still under fire. Mr Munadi, a father of two, and several women and children were killed in the battle.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was woken by the news of the rescue in the early hours of today, hailed the "breathtaking heroism" of the team, paying a special tribute to the Special Forces Support Group soldier who died during the operation.
Farrell, 46, who was also kidnapped in Iraq in 2004 when he worked for The Times newspaper, gave a dramatic account of the moments leading up to his release and described how he witnessed the death of his interpreter in a scene of chaos and gunfire.
He said: "We were all in a room, the Talibs all ran, it was obviously a raid. We thought they would kill us. We thought, 'Should we go out?'"
As he and Mr Munadi ran outside, Farrell heard voices. He added: "There were bullets all around us. I could hear British and Afghan voices."
At the end of a wall, Mr Munadi went forward, shouting: "Journalist! Journalist!" but dropped in a hail of bullets.
"I dived in a ditch," said Farrell, who said he did not know whether the shots had come from Nato or Taliban fire.
After a minute or two, the journalist, who holds dual Irish-British citizenship, said he heard more British voices and shouted: "British hostage!" The British voices told him to come over. As he did, Farrell said he saw his interpreter.
"He was lying in the same position as he fell," Farrell said. "That's all I know. I saw him go down in front of me. He did not move. He's dead. He was so close, he was just two feet in front of me when he dropped."
Upon his release, Farrell called his wife before making a brief call to the foreign editor of The New York Times, shouting: "I'm out! I'm free!" He was flown to the British Embassy in Kabul for a medical check-up.
Until now, the kidnapping had been kept quiet by The New York Times out of concern for the men's safety.
Assisted by US forces, the British special forces team is understood to have landed on the roof of a mud compound where the hostages were being held.
The dead soldier belonged to 1 Para, the parachute regiment attached to the SFSG.
Mr Brown said: "It is with very deep sadness that I must confirm that, while acting with the greatest of courage in this most dangerous mission, one member of the British armed forces lost his life.
"His family has been informed, and our immediate thoughts are with them. His bravery will not be forgotten."
He added: "This operation was carried out after extensive planning and consideration. Those involved knew the high risks they were running. That they undertook it in such circumstances showed breathtaking heroism.
"Our armed forces have the skill and courage to act. They are truly the finest among us, and all of us in Britain pay tribute to them, and to the families and communities who sustain them.
"Sadly, we were unable to rescue Stephen's Afghan interpreter, Sultan Munadi, and we send his family our condolences."
Government officials in Kabul have called for an inquiry into the raid, questioning whether negotiations could have been carried out to secure the hostages' release.
But security officials had feared that they would be moved to Pakistan and handed over to al Qaeda to be executed. Insurgents have also executed a number of hostages in Afghanistan.
Efforts had been under way to negotiate the men's release since their abduction while investigating reports of civilian deaths in the air strike on two hijacked fuel tankers.
Moen Marastial, an MP from the province, said: "We held a shura [council] with 250 people to discuss the kidnapping and we asked people with links to the Taliban to send them a message.
"The men who kidnapped the journalists handed them over to a senior commander called Mullah Salaam.
"He sent us a message saying the men would be released, but that he was waiting for an order from his bosses. The deadline was yesterday."
One resident in the Char Dara district of Kunduz said that soldiers blew open the door of his house, killing his sister-in-law.
He said the Taliban had brought Farrell and Mr Munadi to his home and demanded shelter.
Reader views (37)
We should have left him there, if he is too arrogant to take the warnings from the people around him that know whats going on he doesn't deserve any help. It wasn't even the first time that he had been kidnapped, I mean would you not be more careful and not just dive into the thick of it so you don't have to get soldiers to come and save you again! I personaly think that we should not have journalist's in the warzone because they must only get in the way of the soldiers and prevent them from doing their job since they have to 'babysit' them so they dont get killed.
- Steven, Dundee, Scotland, 10/09/2009 16:03
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There are a few Americans like myself that appreciate the sacrifices made by British, Canadian, French, and soldiers from other countries in Afghanistan. Thank you! One day U.S. Commanders and U.S. politicians will focus on eliminating the Taliban and the terrorism they foster instead of trying to make Afghanistan the 51st state or a "shining beacon of Democracy". When that happens, then all of the troops can come home with chin up. I do hope that the NYT reporter does write an objective and factual account of this event, and that ALL proceeds go to the deceased para's family.
- James, Alaska, United States, 10/09/2009 05:15
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As a US citizen I am saddened by the lack of thanks from our country and the NY Times to the British troops and the family of the fallen Para. We owe you a debt of gratitude.
As for the allegations that negotiations were underway for the release of the two, it only reflects a gross lack of understanding of the fundamentals. This was not an isolated kidnapping by an irate husband or criminal, but rather part of a war.
It's most likely that had the hostage negotiations been taken to fruition the hostage takers would have become local heroes, their coffers filled with money to conduct more kidnappings or bombings and their expertise passed on to others.
Thanks again for your courage and sacrifice.
- S Dietrich, Santa Ynez Valley, California , USA, 10/09/2009 03:55
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I don't know why many lives were risked to save one life.
A job well done? What is more important the lives of many or the life of one.
Should have left the journalist there.
- William Bailey, wgtn, 10/09/2009 01:50
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He's a prat!
- Trisha Crawford, EAST CROYDON, 09/09/2009 23:46
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Another example of McMental trying to score brownie points and milk it for all it,s worth,
More to the point another of our brave soldiers lost his life in rescuing an apparent idiot of a reporter.
The idea of the Brown man being involved at all in military tactics makes me cringe,yes he has the Midas touch all right but the only thing it turns to is not gold but the other stuff can,t write it but it begins with S.
- Roy.C, wigan.england., 09/09/2009 22:13
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I fully appreciate that journalists have to obtain stories and I want to recieve these stories but the journalist can and should obtain the information they need without endangering themselves and their team. At the end of the day he has been kidnapped before and should have learnt by his previous mistake He was only there to try and obtain a story that would take him to the next step on the career ladder and show NATO forces in a poor light. I did not see the labour government offering to rescue the security forces that have just been handed back dead in iraq-why? Dont want to fall out with the big USA that could not be bothered to perform their own rescue but were happy to come and assist(watch) the uk special forces and one heroic solider has been lost for no reason apart from saving a man that will now write a book and make thousands - I hope that if he does the money goes to the dead soliders family and help the heros if he has an ounce of respect or appreciation if not I hope he lives every day in the shadow of his 2nd mistake and thinks twice before making a third!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Unknown, newport wales, 09/09/2009 21:36
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There hasn't been a machine yet invented that can measure the size of these war reporters ego's. Do you think they were walking down the street one day when a hand came down and plucked them up and said you are going to Afghanistan? No, far from it. They fight tooth and nail to get out there with the insane desire to be the next great war correspondent. Sorry, can't feel pity for them.
- Cyrjames, Berwick UK, 09/09/2009 20:10
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The reporters whilst claiming they are present to perform a service to the public should not be contributing the the dangerous environment our soldiers are already engaged in. If the reporter was not there then the rescue mission might not have had to happen. No doubt when this reporter writes his memoirs he will remember the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for him and others like him.....but who is he really writing these reports or books for?? That is a question all reporters need to answer honestly!
- Mark, London, 09/09/2009 19:50
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Who was the Jorno Berk who said on Sky this morning that the Jorno didn't ask to be saved. Well, leave the Jornos to save thwmselves. Let them sign a declaration before they travel there( probably at a cost to the Tax Payers)that they won't ask or expect any help from our hard-working and honourable service women and men.
Stay at home Jornos your reporting is not required
Ralph.
- Ralph Williams, Dorking UK, 09/09/2009 19:39
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Jon Snow has just said that Gordon Brown ordered the operation to free Farrell. The ex-SAS guy that Snow interviewed was scathing about Gordon Brown. I don't think Brown can sink any lower - what a absolute horrible man he is. The election can't come soon enough but Labour will try and rig the result with postal vote abuse, just like Glenrothes.
- Mrs B, Styal, UK, 09/09/2009 19:37
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Should have left the reporter there. The operation went wrong, and the good guys shot the interpreter. The bad guys shot one of the good guys. Not a word of thanks so far from the reporter who was kidnapped.
- Davidke, ramsey isle of man, 09/09/2009 18:54
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Dave from Cumbra, while this moron worked for the anti-American New York Times, he was not American. From this article:
"the journalist, who holds dual Irish-British citizenship, said he heard more British voices and shouted: "British hostage!".
Your brave soldiers were, in fact, saving one of your own.
- Jason, NJ, USA, 09/09/2009 18:19
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It was terribly sad the solider and the interpreter died died, and yes, as ever, Gordon Brown was quick to jump on the bandwagon. As for people who have criticised the reporter - who almost certainly faced an obscene dead at the hands of the Taliban as Steve from London alluded to - he was doing what he was paid to do. Here is a man who has eschewed "sensational headlines," by working for the New York Post and has shown long term comittment to reporting from the region. Someone has to do it, someone has to tell the world what is happening and not leave to to either corrupt Afghan Governments, Fanatics who have stepped uot of the middle ages or Westminster spin doctors. It is a valid role that has evolved over the centuries and now is an independent voice that calls to task liars, spin doctors and propagandists. And the mere fact that posters here have heard of Farrells release implies that they are using the media they affect to despise, whether it was on radio, twitter, TV, or online, someone had to report the fact and you read it.
- Jack Daw, london, 09/09/2009 18:00
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Four or five goodies killed.
One goody saved.
Stupid.
Did any baddies get killed?
- Trebor John, London, UK, 09/09/2009 17:12
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Why the war in the 1st place? Surley, there are many more important issues that need resolving in this country before we start trying to sort problems in other countries.
- Dom, London, 09/09/2009 17:02
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I wonder if the 'reporter' would have noticed that it's the womenfolk there who cut the bits off lambs, and off captives too, and the (male) 'children' who act as runners for the (probably brave) 'civilian' adult males who do the traditional seasonal fighting. More likely he'd be casting doubt on allied best-efforts, TaRa!. I'd rather have a soldier 'beat the clock' than a Journo saved, any day.
- Steve, London, England, 09/09/2009 16:54
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Bingham
None of us should be surprised by ZaNuLabour's grotesque modus operandi, and to 'see the leach Brown straight out of the box' to praise this operation, as you say.
Especially when this cowardly 'armchair general' would have initially given the nod to this dubious operation, knowing that brave British soldiers were being ordered to risk their lives [again] to save an American reporter!
He was waiting to crow of their success, but instead it blew up in his cynical face!
The crud.
Viler still, in a crude attempt to mask this messy story, before it 'got legs', we had Jack Straw rush out a 'populist' announcement about his 'sudden' decision to free the 'innocent' Liverpool footy fan.
This could have been made yesterday or indeed tomorrow, why today?
Today's TV and radio 24hr news and tomorrow's newspaper headlines perhaps?
As ever, with the dodgy announcements of Campbell's ZaNuLabour backroom boys, the news ain't ever the real story, it's the timing of these stories release that readers should analyse.
Always!
- Dave, Cumbra, 09/09/2009 16:24
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Don't waste soldiers lives, pull out the reporters, they only hinder the war effort.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset, 09/09/2009 15:59
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Where you an eye witness Daniel or are you just indulging in ill-informed speculation?
- Carl, London, 09/09/2009 15:23
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Daniel - It is not clear who shot the interpreter. As for it being mayhem, go ahead and show us how it should be done before making such pathetic remarks.
- Rob, Rochester, 09/09/2009 14:31
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Well, Bloke in Lambeth , maybe you should be asking the family of the soldier who died that question.
- Rob, London, 09/09/2009 14:24
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So he went against the security advice that was given in threatre, got kidnapped (for the SECOND time,) and now a British soldier and a number of civilians are dead as a result. I hope his conscience troubles him forever. If he is stupid enough to let this happen again, just leave him.
- James, London, 09/09/2009 14:02
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Instead of probably planning the opening paragraph to the 'sensational' pulitzer prize-winning front page story stephen farrell, perhaps you could try just saying two words to the soldiers who rescued you and family of the one who died? (i'll prompt you)
THANK YOU
Enough said,
RIP royal
- Monty, UK, 09/09/2009 14:01
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This cretin should have been left there. He's not worth a single drop of a brave soldier's blood.
- Andrew Mcnab, Birmingham, England, 09/09/2009 13:46
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If he's from the NY Times then let the bloody yanks rescue him. They're a much bigger country with more troops than we've got! You pays your money, you takes your choice. Why should we rescue idiots who go out to dangerous areas just to get a story. If they put their own lives in dange let them get on with it. Why should one of our own sacrifice his life for him!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 09/09/2009 13:29
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it just somes up the Donkeys of the press and the Lions of our armed forces...................
- Jonny, London, 09/09/2009 13:22
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This is a very painful story to take in. I do wonder, though, about the readers who have commented here, who presumably value the news reports but don't seem to value the reporter very much. Are we content then to rely on what the Afghan government and the Nato forces tell us, to know what is going on there? That's all we have to go on for the recent "final battle" in Sri Lanka, for instance.
- Bloke, Lambeth, 09/09/2009 12:58
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In an uncertain world it's good to see that some things never change - the forces-hating Gordon can't see a bandwagon without wanting to jump onto it.
- Mnairb, Hove, UK, 09/09/2009 12:56
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I see leach Brown is straight out of the box when he wants to jump on the publicity created by a brave British soldier, but when it comes to 270 innocents at Lockerbie.....
SILENCE - Go Brown, GO.
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire, 09/09/2009 12:49
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I hope Mr.Farrell can live with the deaths he has caused. His story has cost many people their lives and all because he refused to listen to others warnings. I understand his family's feelings, but do not agree that allied troops should be put at risk to bail him out every time he puts himself in a dangerous situation.
- Mark, London, 09/09/2009 11:48
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This idiot has been kidnapped twice. He sounds as though he has a deathwish. Self-serving glory hunters like him should be left to their own devices.
- Darren, london, 09/09/2009 11:40
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Well Done???
They shot his Afghan interpreter dead and one of them was killed.
Sounds like mayhem.
- Daniel, London, 09/09/2009 11:29
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British soldiers killed and wounded to rescue an idiot. I do hope the NYT makes a sizeable donation to the families and the forces charities for this.
- Jane, London, 09/09/2009 11:29
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Isn't it enough that our brave soldiers are losing their lives fighting a 'war' and yet they are expected to come to the rescue of people who aren't from the region who put themselves in dangerous and precarious positions out of their own choice. No doubt the 'journalist' was looking for information and a story that in all probability would paint all Allied soldiers in a bad light. And why should a man die to rescue another man who is only there to further his career?
- Rob, London, 09/09/2009 11:03
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More than two people killed (some of thm children with their whole lives ahead of them) to save two. In hindsight, was it worth it?
- Edward Von Fukupp, Munich, Germany., 09/09/2009 10:39
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I salute the British troops who pulled this one off - well done lads - but what a great pity one of them was killed along, with the interpreter and a number of civilians. Were they killed by "friendly fire" or the Taliban, I wonder?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 09/09/2009 10:11
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