THE US NAVY SEAL WHO THREW a grenade during the failed attempted rescue of a British aid worker may face disciplinary sanctions.

Linda Norgrove, 36, was killed on 8 October during the rescue mission. She had been kidnapped in Afghanistan on 26 September.

A joint US-UK investigation has been launched into the incident. UK troops had not been involved in the rescue as Norgrove was being held in an area of Afghanistan where American troops were in operation.

The Guardian reports that Norgrove had broken away from her captors during the assault and was lying – apparently unseen by her rescuers – in the foetal position to protect herself when the grenade was thrown.

Early reports suggested Norgrove was killed when one of her captors detonated a suicide vest, but a taskforce video of the assault showed a soldier throwing the grenade moments before the blast.

The soldier could face disciplinary action for failing to tell his superiors that a grenade had been used until well after the incident.

Meanwhile, the British Foreign Office says that Linda Norgrove’s body has been repatriated. An autopsy will be carried out to officially determine the cause of death.

Al Jazeera reports that Prime Minsiter David Cameron is expected to discuss the incident with the commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General Petraeus, today.

Earlier this week, Cameron said that although the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear, the responsibility for it “lies with those cowardly, ruthless people who took her hostage in the first place”.

Petraeus has described the inquiry into Norgrove’s death as a “personal priority”, according to PA.