Soldier might have been killed by British sniper shot

The inquest is looking into whether Pritchard died as a result of friendly
fire from a British sniper who was based at a remote observation post, known
as a sangar, some distance away who thought he was engaging insurgents
digging in the road. The sniper shot was fired over a Restricted Fire Line,
the court was told.

Major Richard Streatfield, officer commanding 4 Rifles, said it had been warm
during the day but at night, around the time of December 20, the temperature
dropped significantly and there was no moon which would change the type of
night sights soldiers use with their rifles.

He said L/Cpl Pritchard’s post had been fired on earlier in the day but he did
not know where the shots had come from.

He said earlier that evening a group of men were seen acting suspiciously and
digging in the road but were encouraged to move along by flares.

“The men left between 8.30pm and 8.45pm. At 9pm the males appeared to
return to the middle of the highway,” he said.

Corporal Jonathan Dolton, who was not the sniper, requested a shot on an
insurgent, the court was told, but he was told to wait.

Mr Streatfield said: “The next thing I heard was, ‘man down’.”

The inquest was told that permission had to be obtained for a sniper to fire a
shot at a target unless there was an immediate threat to him or someone else.

Mr Streatfield said: “From the radio log there was not permission to fire
that shot.”

The inquest continues.

:: Two British servicemen shot dead by members of the Afghan police force in
Helmand on Saturday have been named.

Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, 27, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was
killed alongside Corporal Brent John McCarthy, 25, of the Royal Air Force at
a patrol base in Helmand province.

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