Canadian Brigadier-General Daniel Ménard.Kirsty Wigglesworth
The commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan is being investigated after his assault rifle unexpectedly went off at Kandahar Airfield.
Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard says it's not been determined whether there was a malfunction or whether it was an accidental discharge.
No one was hurt and nothing damaged in the March 25 incident, which Brig.-Gen. Menard voluntarily disclosed to reporters Saturday night.
The general routinely travels outside of the wire, visiting troops at forward bases throughout Kandahar.
He wouldn't discuss details of the incident because it is under review by the military's National Investigative Service.
If it's found to be an accidental discharge, Brig.-Gen. Ménard as a general officer, faces an automatic court martial with the possibility of a fine.
The military takes weapons security seriously, and Brig.-Gen. Ménard says he is no different than his soldiers and that's why he ordered the investigation on himself.
It's unclear how long the probe will take.