London: England`s Ministry of Defence is investigating claims that a soldier allegedly sliced fingers off a dead Taliban militant to keep as souvenirs.
It is understood the allegations relate to a soldier from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (an infantry battalion) who was serving in Afghanistan, the BBC reported today.
The claims centre on the battalion`s last tour of duty in the war-torn country. The solider was deployed in Helmand province from September 2010 until April this year, tasked with training Afghan police.
The MoD would not be drawn on whether the soldier in question had been suspended pending the investigation`s findings.
"This is a very serious allegation and it would be wrong for us to comment. An investigation is ongoing," a Defence Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report.
Soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, are recruited in Scotland but based in Canterbury, in Kent.
PTI
