News

Three Canadian soldiers were injured yesterday — one critically —when an improvised explosive device detonated during a routine morning foot patrol in Zhari district, west of Kandahar city.

The soldiers were conducting a security patrol alongside members of the Afghan National Army in a rural area that borders the Arghandab River when the bomb went off about 11:30 a.m., said Major Jay Janzen, a military spokesman.

The unit was part of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team program, which pairs NATO soldiers with members of the Afghan National Army to provide training and support. The injured soldiers, whose names were not being released, are members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont.

Major Janzen said no Afghan soldiers were hurt in the blast, which took place 30 kilometres west of Kandahar, and no insurgents were encountered during the incident.

The injured Canadians were taken by helicopter to Kandahar Air Field, where they were receiving medical attention. "One soldier is in critical condition and two others are in fair condition," Major Janzen said.

The incident was the second of the day involving Canadian soldiers. Earlier, at about 8 a.m., soldiers became alarmed when a vehicle approaching a checkpoint run by Afghan and Canadian soldiers in the volatile Panjwai district, about 35 km southwest of Kandahar, failed to stop.

"It failed to heed repeated warnings signals," Major Janzen said. Following protocol, soldiers fired a warning shot, which succeeded in stopping the driver, but the shot ricocheted, hitting a local Afghan teen in the foot.

The teen, who was in good condition yesterday, was transferred to a forward operating base for treatment, and then on to Kandahar Air Field.

Major Janzen said the incident was an accident.

"Our soldiers are trained to take all appropriate steps to minimize civilian casualties. However, they must take action to protect themselves when threatened."