Murdered doctor was a 'true hero'

The family of Dr Karen Woo, who was killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, have refuted claims that she was preaching Christianity to Muslims and called her a "true hero".

Dr Woo, 36, was among eight foreign aid workers executed by gunmen in an ambush in Kuran Wa Munjan district of Badakhshan province.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killings. A spokesman said they were killed because they were "spying for the Americans" and "preaching Christianity".

However, in a statement, Dr Woo's family said: "Her motivation was purely humanitarian. She was a Humanist and had no religious or political agenda."

It has also emerged that the surgeon was due to marry her fiancé within days. Dr Woo's brother David said that the couple planned to live in the UK and start a family together.

The bodies of the Briton, six Americans, a female German and two Afghan interpreters were found on Friday next to three bullet-riddled four-wheel drive vehicles, Afghan police said. it is thought they were robbed at gunpoint before being murdered.