A UK special forces dog was today awarded a medal equivalent of the country's highest military honour for his role in saving hundreds of troops during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. <br/><br/>Mali, a Belgian Malinois, has been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal – the equivalent of the human Victoria Cross – for his heroic actions in sniffing out Taliban booby traps during a highly sensitive military operation in 2012. <br/><br/>The eight-year-old dog was instrumental in assisting troops to clear militants from a Kabul tower block despite suffering serious shrapnel injuries. <br/><br/>He is credited with saving British and Afghan lives as he took part in the Special Boat Service assault. <br/><br/>Dogs were highly valued during the Afghanistan campaign for their ability to sniff out homemade bombs and explosives.