U.S Marine Sniper Team Eliminates Taliban Spotter in Sangin

The US Marines have pursued aggressive tactics in flashpoint town Sangin since replacing British forces in the southern Afghan town several months ago. The BBC's Paul Wood, embedded with US Marine Battalion 3/5, reports on the continuing fight against the Taliban.

"Come on, come out come and play," said the Marine sniper.

He spoke as he looked through his telescopic sight at a Taliban "spotter" who had just jumped behind a wall some 800m away. The man was not armed but was talking into a radio.

"Got P-I-D [positive identification]," said the sniper. "Cleared to engage." There was the suppressed crack of a silenced sniper round. The man fell to the ground.

"Enemy KIA (killed in action). Doin' the dead man dance."

"Good shooting, bro," came the reply.

It was the 50th kill for this sniper team. The US Marines believe they have accounted for hundreds of Taliban since they arrived in Sangin four months ago, relieving the British forces here.