Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan followed proper procedure when they fired on a "speeding vehicle" and killed two local children, a military report concludes.
"The investigation found that the local driver of the civilian vehicle failed to respond to warning signals," says the investigation report, which was completed by the Canadian Forces Military Police.
The investigation adds the soldiers acted within the regular "rules of engagement" when they shot at the vehicle on July 27.
"When the vehicle failed to stop, one round was fired into the speeding vehicle when it was 10 metres away from the convoy," says the report.
"The (International Security Assistance Force) deeply regrets the accidental death of these two Afghan children," Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson said Tuesday.
"Our thoughts continue to be with the family of the deceased during this difficult time."
The children's father, Ruzi Mohammed, told The Canadian Press that he is still waiting for compensation from the Canadian military.
"lf Canadians will not support me now, I am compelled to join the Taliban and to take revenge for my two innocent children," he said.
Civilian casualties mounting
The investigation into the accidental killings comes on the heels of a new United Nations report, also released Tuesday, warning that civilian deaths in Afghanistan during the first eight months of 2008 have climbed nearly 40 per cent compared to last year.
According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, 1,445 civilians died from January to the end of August. Last year, the number was 1,040.
"I call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to ensure every effort is made to avoid the killing of civilians," High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay says in the report.
While the UN blames much of the spike on increased insurgent activity by the Taliban, Pillay added that casualties resulting from "international military forces" are also on the rise.
In August, the civilian death toll reached a new high, according UNAMA, with 330 deaths. That number includes 92 civilians who were killed during a military operation in Shindand "involving Afghan and international military forces."
