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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 Russian-made bullet was of the same calibre used by British forces in Afghanistan. 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 DawsonThe 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 dealingArms 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."