Border Pakistan News

A couple from Dumfries who moved to Abu Dhabi have been left shaken by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Iran at 10.44am GMT.

31-year-old Mark Proudlock and his wife Laura, 30, moved to the middle-east last year and he said the earthquake is the worst he has have ever felt:

"Our apartment is on the 5th floor of the building and the earthquake shook us off our couch.

"I grabbed my keys and ran down the stairs. All of the alarms were going off and none of the lifts are working.

"All of the dishes have fallen off the shelves and the pictures have come off the wall.

"It is the second one in a week, but this is by far the worst.

"It was scary".

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake reached a depth of 9 miles and tremors were felt across the United Arab Emirates and India.

• UK
• Earthquake
• Iran

The MP for Dumfries and Galloway, Russell Brown, has paid tribute to Khalil Dale following the news that the former Dumfries resident was named posthumous winner of the 2013 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. Mr Brown described Mr Dale as a "worthy winner" of the award.

• UK
• Khalil Dale
• Dumfries

Khalil Dale, an aid worker who was abducted and killed in Pakistan last year, has been honoured with an award. Mr Dale, who was brought up in Dumfries, has been named as the recipient of the 2013 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.

Mr Dale, who was a nurse in Dumfries, joined the Red Cross in 1981. He worked in some of the world's most dangerous countries including Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. He was abducted in Pakistan in April 2012 and his body was found four months later.

Khalil very much saw himself as someone who just got on with his job, wherever that happened to be. He would have been very humbled by this accolade, which is testament to the lives he changed and the legacy he leaves behind.

Khalil was loved and respected by many people. I am extremely proud my brother – and the work he carried out over many years to make a difference for others – has been recognised in such a wonderful way.

• UK
• Khalil Dale
• Dumfries

Khalil Dale's brother Ian, his friends Zia and Dora and fiancee Anne expressed their sadness with this statement:

"We are shocked and saddened beyond comprehension for the senseless and brutal way in which our beloved Khalil was murdered.

"At this painful time we feel many mixed emotions, including hurt, grief, confusion and anger. We particularly need time and space to grieve our loss, and do respectfully ask that the media respect this.

"During Khalil's abduction and following his death, there has been an overwhelming flood of support, kindness and love from all corners of the globe, and we are very humbled and grateful for this empathy and solidarity.

"In particular, we wish to thank the Red Cross and Red Crescent family across the world for their support and for their focus throughout on Khalil's safe release. We have been with them throughout this ordeal, and we know they share our grief.

"We do not wish to see the inhumanity and brutality of his death debase the memories we have of Khalil. Without question, Khalil was amongst the most gentle, most kind and most loving person we have ever known.

"For all who knew him, his deeply caring and considerate nature was what left a lasting impression.

"His tireless work with the most impoverished and vulnerable people of the world was a reflection of his beliefs in love, in solidarity and in compassion. He was a true humanitarian.

"We will not let the events of the past week sully Khalil's memory. Khalil was a better man than that. We pity those who took his life.

"He achieved much in this world. His life was one of love, not hatred. His life was one of kindness, not cruelty. His life was one of beauty and joy.

"We will always remember our Khalil, our Ken, as a man who brought joy to us and countless others."

• World
• Pakistan
• Aid

The family and friends of a British aid worker who was murdered in Pakistan have paid tribute to him.

Khalil Dale, from Dumfries, was found dead on Sunday, more than four months after being abducted whilst working for the International Red Cross.

In a statement released today, his brother Ian and fiancee Ann said they are shocked and saddened by the death.

They described the 60-year-old as "amongst the most gentle, most kind and most loving person we have ever known".

• World
• Pakistan
• Aid

Sean Maguire spoke to ITV Border's Ian Payne about the death of the British Aid worker in Pakistan. Mr Dale was originally from Dumfries, Ian began by asking Mr Maguire if he felt everything possible was done to help save Mr Dale:

• UK
• Pakistan
• Red Cross

Pakistan government officials say they're determined to bring to justice those responsible for killing a Dumfries aid worker.

The body of 60 year old Khalil Dale was found yesterday near the city of Quetta.

It followed his abduction at the hands of gunmen in January.

Mr Dale had been working for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

He'd spent many years working as an aid worker and had also previously worked as a nurse in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

He lived in the town for 30 years.

Prime Minister David Cameron has described his murder as a "shocking and merciless act".

Meanwhile the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there was a determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A spokesman added: "Pakistan is committed to combat terrorism and the death of Mr. Dale has only strengthened our resolve to eliminate this scourge."

• UK
• Pakistan
• Red Cross

A kidnapped aid worker from Dumfries and Galloway has been killed in Pakistan. The body of Khalil Dale was found on the outskirts of the city of Quetta, four months after he was abducted. Reporter Kathryn Samson was live in Dumfries tonight for the ITV Tyne Tees and Border news programme.

• UK
• Pakistan
• Red Cross