A Scottish soldier was killed almost instantly by a gunshot wound to the chest after he was gunned down by a rogue member of the Afghan army while playing a football match on Remembrance Day, an inquest has heard.
Captain Walter Barrie was playing in a match with members from the Afghan National Army (ANA) and one other British soldier at his base on November 11 last year when he was shot at close range in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province, Oxford Coroner’s Court heard.
The gunman, named as Mohammad Ashraf, was dressed in full ANA uniform when he approached the pitch and fired about 10 shots towards Capt Barrie using an M16 rifle.
As the other soldiers fled, Ashraf moved towards a welfare tent for British troops and continued firing, the hearing was told.
The attack was stopped when the Afghan soldier was shot dead by Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) soldiers, the inquest heard.
It is believed Ashraf carried out the fatal assault after his brother was wounded as he attempted an insider attack on Spanish forces in Afghanistan a day earlier.
Intelligence officers had warned British troops of another possible “green-on-blue” attack on November 10, stressing that 60% of insider attacks are followed by another within 72 hours.
Capt Barrie, from Penicuik in Midlothian, had been mentoring and advising a brigade of the ANA to take over security in an area of southern Afghanistan.
The 41-year-old, of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, had served for 25 years, including tours of Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan in 2008.
Recording his verdict, Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said Capt Barrie was unlawfully killed while on active service.