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By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent
Fears that an expert sniper is operating in Basra are growing after two British soldiers were shot dead by single bullets in the past two days.
At least three have been killed and five wounded in the past six weeks by single shots. The marksman is equipped with a powerful rifle that can penetrate body armour, military sources believe.
Earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph reported that insurgents in Iraq had at least 100 Austrian Steyr sniper rifles the country had sold to Iran. The Teheran regime is widely recognised as a prime trainer of insurgents and provides them with money and equipment.
Iraqi intelligence sources have also said that Iranian security figures were operating in Basra as Teheran attempts to gain total influence in southern Iraq.
Kingsman Danny Wilson was the first of the two soldiers killed in the latest sniper attacks on Sunday.
He was hit after leaving his Warrior armoured vehicle to check an intersection for roadside bombs. Kingsman Wilson, 28, died from a bullet wound that penetrated a part of his Osprey body armour not protected by ceramic plates.
Within 24 hours another soldier was killed and one injured - both by single shots in the same area, Al Ashar. The first victim was hit in the hand and 15 minutes later a colleague, also from 2Bn The Rifles, was fatally wounded. It is not yet known if the unnamed soldier's body armour was penetrated.
A soldier was killed and four wounded during a three-day period at the end of February.
Kingsman Wilson, a Territorial Army soldier from Workington, Cumbria, had volunteered for a second tour in a year when he was killed serving with the 2Bn, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. He leaves a wife, Tracey, and son Leo.
A total of 103 British soldiers have died in Iraq in the past four years. Prince Harry is expected to be deployed there within weeks.
Fears that an expert sniper is operating in Basra are growing after two British soldiers were shot dead by single bullets in the past two days.
At least three have been killed and five wounded in the past six weeks by single shots. The marksman is equipped with a powerful rifle that can penetrate body armour, military sources believe.
Earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph reported that insurgents in Iraq had at least 100 Austrian Steyr sniper rifles the country had sold to Iran. The Teheran regime is widely recognised as a prime trainer of insurgents and provides them with money and equipment.
Iraqi intelligence sources have also said that Iranian security figures were operating in Basra as Teheran attempts to gain total influence in southern Iraq.
Kingsman Danny Wilson was the first of the two soldiers killed in the latest sniper attacks on Sunday.
He was hit after leaving his Warrior armoured vehicle to check an intersection for roadside bombs. Kingsman Wilson, 28, died from a bullet wound that penetrated a part of his Osprey body armour not protected by ceramic plates.
Within 24 hours another soldier was killed and one injured - both by single shots in the same area, Al Ashar. The first victim was hit in the hand and 15 minutes later a colleague, also from 2Bn The Rifles, was fatally wounded. It is not yet known if the unnamed soldier's body armour was penetrated.
A soldier was killed and four wounded during a three-day period at the end of February.
Kingsman Wilson, a Territorial Army soldier from Workington, Cumbria, had volunteered for a second tour in a year when he was killed serving with the 2Bn, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. He leaves a wife, Tracey, and son Leo.
A total of 103 British soldiers have died in Iraq in the past four years. Prince Harry is expected to be deployed there within weeks.
