The so-called SAS execution of an "unarmed man": ABC admits that SAS were looking for a bomb maker and that the Army dog seems to have identified him as a bomb maker with a bomb, but insists it was an execution of an unarmed man

by Ganesh Sahathevan

In ABC Four Corners own words:

It is a bright day in May 2012, and 3 Squadron SAS is looking for an insurgent bombmaker.

The handler, with his dog, follows the patrol scout, who Four Corners has called Soldier C, through a field towards a mud compound.

The helicopters are guiding them to a person who has been spotted in a wheat field ahead.

Amongst the wheat, the dog handler and Soldier C come across a bearded man in his 20s being mauled by the dog, called Quake.

"Quake, leave!" yells the dog handler.

As the dog lets go, Soldier C trains his M4 assault rifle on the man from a range of between 1 and 2 metres.

After more than 20 seconds the soldier turns to the dog handler.

"You want me to drop this c***?"

"I don't know mate. Hit ***** up," replies the dog handler, referring to the patrol commander, who has taken up a position nearby.

The soldier turns to the commander.

"You want me to drop this c***?"

The soldier asks the commander a second time: "You want me to drop this c***?"

The patrol commander's response is inaudible on the video.

Soldier C fires the first shot into the Afghan man on the ground.

As the dog streaks towards the prone man, and the handler calls for him to come back, the soldier pumps two more bullets into the victim.

The Afghan man is dead.

Fewer than three minutes has elapsed between the SAS landing their chopper, and the killing in the wheat field.

In other words, a job well done. Army dog Quake had repeatedly identified the threat and defensive measures were taken.

The ABC has reported that the Afghan was unarmed but, as reported, this man was a bomb maker, who could have had a bomb on him.

END

Ganesh Sahathevan