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The shooter fired at a range of almost 1,200 metres after his team sneaked into a terrorist-controlled enclave of northern Syria two weeks ago.

It is understood the marksman was using a special bullet which “tumbles” when it strikes a target, causing a massive wound.

The SAS team had received information from several MI6 agents in the area which revealed the location of a terrorist training camp on the outskirts of a small village close to a school.

(Image: GETTY)

The location meant it could not be attacked in an air strike because of the risk of collateral damage.

The SAS unit was made up of two teams of four armed with long range sniper rifles, machine guns and rocket launchers.

Another 12-man team was based two miles away in civilian vehicles and was ready to deploy as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) if needed.

The SAS team remained hidden for almost 12 hours before launching the attack.

The troopers waited for the Isis commander to begin showing around 20 recruits how to cut the heads off prisoners.

While he was demonstrating cutting motions using knives, axes and a sword the SAS sniper was given the all-clear to open fire.

A source said: “The SAS team had been in position for about 12 hours.

"They had been told that the Isis commander was the head executioner in the area.

"He was an extremely sadistic and ruthless individual, feared by the locals and the jihadis alike.

“The intelligence said that he was over six feet tall, had a long black beard and wore white robes which was unusual for ISIS fighters.

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“The SAS sniper was using a Dan.338 equipped with a suppressor which reduces the sound and eliminates any flash from the barrel.

“He had to aim off by more than a foot.

"He had assumed it would take at least two shots to kill the commander but the first shot hit him in the back of the head.

“One minute he was standing there and the next his head had exploded.

“The commander remained standing upright for a couple of seconds before collapsing and that’s when panic set in.

“We later heard most of the recruits deserted.

"So all in all it was a very successful mission.

"We got rid of 21 terrorists with one bullet.”

The SAS team was picked up by the QRF and was back in Iraq later that evening.