A special forces dog who sniffed out Taliban booby traps as elite British troops fought to clear militants from a Kabul tower block has been awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

The Belgian Malinois known as Mali was badly injured by shrapnel, but credited with saving British and Afghan lives as he took part in the Special Boat Service (SBS) assault.

The mission saw SBS operators fight at close quarters to kill a heavily armed suicide squad holed up in a half-built block on the edge of the city’s diplomatic district.

The mission to end the siege is thought to have been one of the most heavily decorated actions in Britain’s Afghan campaign, with several gallantry awards given to human participants.

Eight-year-old Mali has now been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for his role, joining only 68 other animals ever to receive the decoration.

Jan McLoughlin, director general of the veterinary charity, said: “Despite sustaining quite horrendous injuries, he absolutely stayed by his handler’s side and forged forward with them to help them carry out their duty. It’s that gallantry and devotion to duty that we are recognising.”