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Para's death stolen bullet theory | Para's death stolen bullet theory |
(21 minutes later) | |
A soldier shot in Afghanistan by a bullet used by British and other Nato forces was probably killed by enemy fire, says a coroner. | A soldier shot in Afghanistan by a bullet used by British and other Nato forces was probably killed by enemy fire, says a coroner. |
Paratrooper Sgt Maj Mike Williams, 41, died in action in Helmand Province, the inquest in Newport heard. | Paratrooper Sgt Maj Mike Williams, 41, died in action in Helmand Province, the inquest in Newport heard. |
Gwent coroner David Bowen was told the bullet may have been stolen by the Taliban from an arms depot. | Gwent coroner David Bowen was told the bullet may have been stolen by the Taliban from an arms depot. |
He recorded a verdict that Sgt Maj Williams, from Caerphilly, was killed on active service in June 2008. | He recorded a verdict that Sgt Maj Williams, from Caerphilly, was killed on active service in June 2008. |
Mr Bowen said he was "more likely than not killed by enemy fire." | Mr Bowen said he was "more likely than not killed by enemy fire." |
Sgt Maj Williams was leading his troops in a dawn raid on a bridge when they came under fire. | Sgt Maj Williams was leading his troops in a dawn raid on a bridge when they came under fire. |
The bullet missed his bulletproof vest by half-an-inch, passing though soft body armour into his chest. | The bullet missed his bulletproof vest by half-an-inch, passing though soft body armour into his chest. |
The bullet was of the same calibre used by British forces in Afghanistan. | |
But the inquest heard the Taliban fighters use the same ammunition stolen from occupying forces. | But the inquest heard the Taliban fighters use the same ammunition stolen from occupying forces. |
The Taliban have a vast array of weaponry, some of it acquired from when Russian forces were in occupation and some stolen from our forces Lt Col Adam Dawson | The Taliban have a vast array of weaponry, some of it acquired from when Russian forces were in occupation and some stolen from our forces Lt Col Adam Dawson |
Sgt Maj Williams was leading a 10-man fire support group protecting platoons of the 2nd Parachute Regiment when they came under attack from Taliban rocket-propelled grenades, machine gun and small arms fire. | Sgt Maj Williams was leading a 10-man fire support group protecting platoons of the 2nd Parachute Regiment when they came under attack from Taliban rocket-propelled grenades, machine gun and small arms fire. |
It was described as one of the heaviest engagements ever in the eight-year war against the Taliban. | It was described as one of the heaviest engagements ever in the eight-year war against the Taliban. |
Moments before Sgt Williams was hit, a warning was shouted by another soldier in the group saying: "It could be friendly fire." | Moments before Sgt Williams was hit, a warning was shouted by another soldier in the group saying: "It could be friendly fire." |
One of his colleagues told the inquest how Sgt Williams was regarded as an "institution" by his men. | One of his colleagues told the inquest how Sgt Williams was regarded as an "institution" by his men. |
Lance Cpl Gary Houldsworth said: "We were in a range of sand dunes with Sgt Major Williams leading the way. | Lance Cpl Gary Houldsworth said: "We were in a range of sand dunes with Sgt Major Williams leading the way. |
"I was about 10 to 15 metres from him as he reached the crest of a dune. | "I was about 10 to 15 metres from him as he reached the crest of a dune. |
"We came under a burst of fire and he was hit and slumped to the ground. | "We came under a burst of fire and he was hit and slumped to the ground. |
"We were hit by a mixture of tracers and bullets. I aimed shots in the direction of the flashes. There was a massive amount of fire in and around us." | "We were hit by a mixture of tracers and bullets. I aimed shots in the direction of the flashes. There was a massive amount of fire in and around us." |
Lt Col Adam Dawson said the bullet which struck Sgt Maj Williams was of "standard Nato issue". | Lt Col Adam Dawson said the bullet which struck Sgt Maj Williams was of "standard Nato issue". |
He told the inquest: "It is widely used throughout Afghanistan and in other theatres of war throughout the world. | He told the inquest: "It is widely used throughout Afghanistan and in other theatres of war throughout the world. |
Arms dealing | Arms dealing |
"The Taliban have a vast array of weaponry, some of it acquired from when Russian forces were in occupation and some stolen from our forces." | "The Taliban have a vast array of weaponry, some of it acquired from when Russian forces were in occupation and some stolen from our forces." |
The commander of one of the platoons being protected by Sgt Major Williams denied any of his soldiers had fired towards him. | The commander of one of the platoons being protected by Sgt Major Williams denied any of his soldiers had fired towards him. |
Capt Nicholas Mys said: "I was the only one opening fire and that was well before Sgt Maj Williams was shot. | Capt Nicholas Mys said: "I was the only one opening fire and that was well before Sgt Maj Williams was shot. |
"His group were 30m behind my position. It was the heaviest and most sustained attack in my experience." | "His group were 30m behind my position. It was the heaviest and most sustained attack in my experience." |
Mr Bowen said even though the bullet was made in the UK, it would be wrong to assume he was shot be his own side. | Mr Bowen said even though the bullet was made in the UK, it would be wrong to assume he was shot be his own side. |
"The use of this bullet is not confined to British forces and could be obtained in the murky world of arms dealing," said the coroner. | "The use of this bullet is not confined to British forces and could be obtained in the murky world of arms dealing," said the coroner. |
He said Sgt Maj Williams was facing his enemy and not British forces when he was shot. | He said Sgt Maj Williams was facing his enemy and not British forces when he was shot. |
He added: "I'm satisfied that Mr Williams was more likely than not killed by enemy fire." | He added: "I'm satisfied that Mr Williams was more likely than not killed by enemy fire." |
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