The soldier is now in line for a gallantry medal
A SAS dog handler ran through gunfire to save an army dog after it helped take down a sniper.
The Belgian shepherd was gunned down as it helped commandos attack Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
The sergeant carried the wounded animal across 50 yards of open ground and stemmed its bleed on a helicopter ride back to a British base, the Mirror reports.
A source said: “This was as heroic as it gets. There is an unbreakable bond between handlers and their dogs.”
The soldier is set to get a medal for his bravery in saving the life of the army dog.
Last year, the SAS was targeting 14 Taliban in a compound south of Kabul who were reported to be executing locals who had helped government troops.
When helicopters carrying up to 14 members of the SAS and Afghan commandos landed, they came under almost immediate attack.
The canine companion was sent in to flush out a sniper, forcing him out into the open by attacking him. The sniper was then shot dead before the animal was hit as it tried to find another target.
The source said: “It was badly injured and bleeding profusely. The handler ran across, picked up the dog and carried him to a safe area. Once the target had been neutralised, the SAS withdrew and were picked up by the choppers.
“The dog was in a bad way, bleeding from gunshot or blast injuries. But he survived and was sent back to the UK.”
The Ministry of Defence said it does not comment on the SAS.
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