An aid worker from Rochdale was shot dead as he tried to act as peacemaker during a dispute outside a hotel in Sri Lanka.
Prosthetic limb expert Khuram Shaikh, who worked for the Red Cross in the Middle East, was shot and attacked with a sharp weapon after he became caught up in the row in the tourist town of Tangalle.
His bereaved family, from Milnrow, paid tribute to a ‘courageous son’ after he was killed on Christmas Day.
They said they are still unclear how the 32-year-old became involved in the dispute. But they believe he was simply in the wrong place when the row flared up between two rival gangs.
Mr Shaikh had travelled to the popular coastal resort with colleague Victoria Alexandrova, 23, a Russian citizen, who was also badly injured in the attack.
She is currently in intensive care in a local hospital.
Four men are currently in custody. One man was identified as a 24-year-old local politician.
Mr Shaikh managed a programme in the Gaza Strip fitting prosthetics on people injured during violence.
His brother Nasir, 40, an NHS project manager, described how the family received the terrible news on Christmas Day.
He said: "Local police say there was an altercation between two groups and Khuram was in the vicinity. There are reports that he tried to calm the situation down and was targeted, but we don’t know what the truth is.
"Basically, he was there on holiday. The aid workers have to have a week-long break every three months. He was going there to get away.
"The job he was doing took him to some dangerous places – and he was living in Gaza – so there was no concern about a holiday in Sri Lanka. He had been there on a break earlier this year and talked about how beautiful it was."
His father Mohammad, 65, a retired businessman, added: "He was a charismatic and confident person. The most important thing for him was giving back to other people.
"He lived for helping people and obviously it is a great loss not just for us but for the Red Cross, and the people he was helping."
Nasir, 40, is now preparing to travel to Colombo to help repatriate his brother’s body with the help of the Red Cross and the Foreign Office.
The Salford University graduate, who also had two younger sisters, had worked in Norway and Ireland before joining the Geneva-based organisation in 2009. He had previously carried out rehabilitation work in North Korea.
The International Red Cross said it was ‘deeply shocked... and grieved by the loss’.
Spokesman Hicham Hassan said: "Mr Shaikh was working as the head of our physical rehabilitation programme in Gaza. He was due to finish his placement there in four months.
"Working with the Red Cross often means being in dangerous places. Mr Shaikh would have been motivated by a humanitarian desire to help others."
Tangalle is a popular tourist resort about 100 miles south of the capital Colombo.
The Foreign Office said: "Next of kin have been informed and we are providing consular assistance."
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RIP Mr Shaikh.
I'm sure those you helped are very grateful for the support you provided them.
RIP, sir.
He did good for many people.
What a tragic loss of such a caring young man.
His family and friends must be very proud of Khuram Shaikh's unselfish legacy in helping others.
Still finding it hard to believe......what a great guy doing a fantastic job, just to say that our prayers and dua's are with him and his family at this tragic time, may Allah grant you a place in Jannat.....Ameen.
Khuram Shaikh was the happiest person I knew, we shared some lovely times at College. He very caring person which shows in the work he did. May Allah grant you a place in Jannat (heaven) Ameen......you will NEVER be forgotten....RIP xxx
Poor Lad !!
Kuram was one of the kindest, happiest people I have had the privilege to meet. He always made me smile. His presence in this world will be missed by all whose lives he touched and by all the people he could have helped. The bad people who did this should suffer eternally for their crime - they have robbed the world of a wonderful soul. Rest in peace Kuram I will miss your smile for ever xx
To the parents of Khuram Shaikh,
I knew your son in Gaza. I am a mother of 2 sons and I do know what you are passing through, I do feel the bitterness you feel, I realize how tough life can be for you, and how long the days and nights are. I know how harsh it is on you a person like Khuram is not easy to lose. Any parents should be proud that you managed to have a well rosin up son like Khuram, His cheerful character, his commitment and dedication were blessings to all those surrounding him. Khuram lived as a man and died as a real man. You introduced Khuram to life, and he granted many many new lives to people who lost the hope in walking again, or being able to hug their children, Khuram was sent, surrounded with God blessings, to all the places he worked in. God is justice and what this man has done will be so much considered on the Judgment Day. May God bless his soul and grant you the strength and patience to overcome this harsh time and continue you life. This is God well and in God we believe.
In a world so often characterised by selfishness and the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others, the life and work of this young man should serve as an example to all of us. My thougths and prayers are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.