KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - An Afghan girl has been killed in an accidental shooting by Canadian soldiers in Kandahar province.

Military officials say soldiers had dismounted from a convoy Tuesday in the volatile Panjwaii district when a motorcycle came speeding towards them.

When the driver did not heed signals to stop, a warning shot was fired and the motorcycle changed direction and sped away.

Moments later, officials say the soldiers noticed a crowd gathering and discovered that a girl, whose age was not disclosed, had been shot. Attempts to save the girl were unsuccessful.

In a separate incident about an hour later, three Afghan policemen were injured when Canadian soldiers inspecting a possible improvised explosive device fired on a vehicle that was approaching in the dark with its lights out.

Two members of the Afghan National Police suffered minor injuries, while the third remains in hospital.