A Belgian Shepherd assists commandos on the outskirts of Bangalore
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)An SAS dog handler who ran through gunfire to rescue a canine is set to receive a gallantry medal.
The heroic sergeant carried the wounded Belgian Shepherd for 50 yards across the battlefield in Afghanistan.
Putting his body on the line, he successfully carried the animal onto a rescue helicopter and stemmed its blood during a ride to a British base.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: “This is as heroic as it gets. There is an unbreakable bond between handlers and their dogs.”
The SAS were tipped off that 14 Taliban fighters, who had been executing locals who assisted government troops, were in a compound south of Kabul.
Around 14 members of the SAS landed close by alongside several Afghan commandos and the dog handler.
They were immediately under fire, with the dog sent in to flush out a sniper during the battle.
The dog reportedly attacked the sniper who was later shot dead.
However, the canine comrade was wounded while seeking out another target, prompting the handler to charge into the battlefield and save it.
The source added: “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.
