Scripture is useful for refutation and correction, this Sunday’s reading from 2 Timothy tells us. Surveillance video served a similar purpose this week in the tragic failure of a U.S. rescue operation to free a British aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan.

An explosion that killed hostage Linda Norgrove during the attempted rescue was first reported to have come from a kidnapper detonating a suicide vest. Later review of the video, however, revealed Norgrove was likely killed by a fragment grenade tossed by one of the rescuers.

Sources familiar with the rescue attempt say that during the assault on the kidnappers’ hideaway Norgrove broke away from her captors and lay in a fetal position to avoid harm. A soldier from the elite Seal Team Six special-forces unit failed to see Norgrove and tossed his fragmentation grenade, which exploded next to her.

When the task force commander reviewed the video he saw the grenade being tossed in Norgrove’s direction. The special forces involved in the assault were summoned by their commander and asked if any of them had used a fragmentation grenade. One stepped forward and identified himself, triggering a frantic effort by embarrassed U.S. commanders to correct the official record and alert the British government.

Scripture also is useful for “training in righteousness,” an ethical value important to military codes of conduct. The soldier in question likely will face disciplinary action because his failure to report the use of a grenade immediately is seen as a matter of military integrity, senior commanders say. Norgrove’s family expressed gratitude to U.S. forces for “not sweeping under the carpet” the details of her death.

Source: An article by Julian Borger for Guardian.co.uk