Military investigators say Saskatchewan-born Cpl. Josh Roberts died in Afghanistan from insurgent fire, not by stray bullets fired from a passing convoy of private security personnel.
Roberts died Aug. 9 during an operation in the turbulent Zhari district, a farming area west of Kandahar City.
"Based on the physical evidence, witness interviews and analysis by the Military Police investigators, the investigation concluded that his death was inflicted by the insurgents," the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) said in a press release Saturday.
There was speculation that Afghan security personnel passing through the area may have also engaged the insurgents, prompting CFNIS to investigate whether Roberts had died from friendly fire.
During the fatal firefight, about 15 Taliban gunmen attacked a group of Canadian and Afghan soldiers, who then returned fire.
The Canadian troops had been out on a morning mentoring operation with Afghan soldiers when gunfire and blasts from rocket propelled grenades rained down on the area.
The Canadians, some of whom were travelling in armoured vehicles, fought back and also called in artillery fire.
Sometime during the confusing skirmish, the Canadian troops also sustained fire from the north, and there was fear they had become disorientated and lost the position of one of their groups.
One theory is that the private security force, which was travelling west with a convoy of civilians and did not notice the Canadians, opened fire after seeing the gun battle.
Last month, Maj. Bob Ritchie, taskforce commander for Zhari District, said it's common for private security contractors to fight with insurgents in the notoriously violent region.
There are at least two firms heavily active in the area: USPI and Compass Integrated Security Solutions.
"Security personnel from a private security firm, Compass Integrated Security Solutions, not employed by the Department of National Defence, were present in the area at the time of the incident, but the investigation concluded that they were not responsible for Master Corporal Roberts' death," said CFNIS.
CFNIS is an independent unit within the Military Police, and has a mandate to "investigate serious and sensitive matters" connected to Canadian Forces personnel serving in Canada and abroad.
Roberts belonged to 2nd Battalion, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man. His fianc锟絜 was expecting a child.
