GETTY The SAS marksman took out five terrorists using just three bullets during the operation

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The sharp-shooter took out three terrorists, at least two of whom were wearing explosive vests, as they made their way to carry out a suicide mission. The unnamed veteran, who joined the SAS a decade ago, saved potentially hundreds of lives by unleashing three well-aimed shots from a distance of 800m. The operation took place two weeks ago at a bomb factory around 10km outside the ISIS-occupied city of Mosul.

GETTY A photo taken in ISIS-occupied Mosul, located near the operation, last year

The decision to open fire was given when three men were seen leaving the factory wearing heavy coats, despite the hot weather. This was an attempt to hide their suicide vests as they made their way to attack civilians in a nearby town, an attack which could have killed a huge number of innocent men, women and children.

GETTY A British soldier using a sniper during a mission

The sniper shot the first jihadi in the chest, detonating his explosive device and killing him instantly, along with two ISIS guards sat in a nearby car. The second terrorist was killed with a headshot, as he and the third man tried desperately to get back into the locked factory. The third jihadi also died when his explosive vest was set off by a third and final well-aimed shot from the colour sergeant. An Army source said: “This was a classic SAS mission. The unit had been operating in the area for several weeks, mainly working as spotters for air strikes and gathering intelligence. “About three weeks ago the intelligence guys got information that a bomb factory had been set up in a nearby village.

GETTY The targets were taken out from a distance of 800m

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“The unit was sent in to see if they could identify the house and the bombers. “There were too many civilian homes nearby and children were often around so an airstrike was out of the question.

GETTY A British Army sniper in action

With just three well-aimed shots that single team has probably saved the lives of hundreds of innocent people Army source