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Canadian general calls for less gunfire on Kandahar streets

Last Updated: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 | 5:34 PM ET

The general in charge of Canadian troops in Afghanistan is advising soldiers to exercise restraint when using their weapons after three Afghans were mistakenly killed in recent days.

Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant says he's been talking to his commanders about the rash of shootings involving Canadian soldiers.

Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant, centre, at a change-of-command ceremony on Tuesday, marking the arrival of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, of CFB Gagetown, N.B., in Kandahar. Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant, centre, at a change-of-command ceremony on Tuesday, marking the arrival of the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, of CFB Gagetown, N.B., in Kandahar.
(Murray Brewster/Canadian Press)

Last week, soldiers mistakenly shot and killed an Afghan civilian and wounded an Afghan soldier. On Sunday, Canadian troops shot and killed another civilian and an Afghan police officer.

"Every time that we injure a civilian, it is devastating to us, it's devastating to the families and it's something we have to stop," he said.

Grant says he wants less gunfire on the streets of Kandahar, where more than 2,000 Canadian soldiers are serving.

"It's a clear priority of mine that we reduce the number of rounds fired and that we protect the people as we go through the city, particularly," he said.

"I've already spoken to other senior officers in the task force to make sure that the leadership is playing a significant role in making sure that we use force only when absolutely necessary."

The military has acknowledged that shooting Afghan civilians, police officers and soldiers makes it a lot harder for Canadian troops to build good relations with the local population.

In the most recent shooting, the military says both the officer and the civilian were shot after they ignored warnings to stay away from Canadian troops. However, some Afghan police officers have contradicted that.

Grant wouldn't comment on the case except to say it is under investigation

"When the investigation is complete, we'll provide you the details that we have," he said. "But it would be inappropriate right now to discuss the various opinions of what has happened during that night."

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