According to a report in the Telegraph newspaper there has been a new record set for the longest kill shot in Afghanistan.
GPS aids supposedly “measured the distance the bullet traveled at 2815 meters”, beating the previous record of 2475 meters for a confirmed kill.
The shot was taken by a commando sniper team in Helmandprovince, Afghanistan.
“Through binoculars at a distance invisible to the naked eye they spotted a group of Taliban. The soldiers having means of identifying targets went through a process of obtaining verification and permission to engage. Two marksmen using Barrett M82A1 50 caliber rifles simultaneously fired. The bullets were six seconds in the air. One killed the Taliban commander. It is not known for certain which sniper fired the fatal shot. While there have been no triumphant press releases, in the tight global Special Forces sniper community the shot is much discussed, because it seems certain to be a world record” (source: Taliban remain in fear of lethal strikes, writes Chris Mastershttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/taliban-remain-in-fear-of-lethal-strikes-writes-chris-masters/story-e6frezz0-1226504862496 ).
The M82A1 50 caliber is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing company. A heavy SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle), is in use by many units and armies around the world.
At that distance the targeted Taliban would not have heard the gunfire that killed him.
The article noted that the previous world record achieved by British Corporal Craig Harrison occurred also in Helmand in November 2009. Firing from a distance of 2475m, Harrison killed two Taliban.
See video: Longest Sniper Kill Ever 1.5 Miles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MK4SEoBFXk
The names of the snipers involved are not known but they are thought to be members of the Australian Defense Force Delta Company of 2 Commando Regiment, based on the information in the Telegraph report, which was dated less than 24 hours ago.
See video: Aussie Joint Sniper Training – Very cool.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzSEARd065I
See also: Marine sniper engages Taliban with Barrett M107 .50 cal rifle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2JZgkLIzSg&feature=related