Canadian soldier killed in firefight in Afghanistan; investigation launched
14 hours ago
ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan — An investigation is underway to determine whether a Canadian soldier and soon-to-be father killed in combat early Saturday in southern Afghanistan died as a result of friendly fire by private security guarding a passing civilian convoy or a skirmish with insurgents.
Master Cpl. Josh Roberts of Saskatoon was serving as a crew commander with the 9th Platoon, Charlie Company when he was shot while in the turret of his armoured vehicle during an operation in the volatile Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.
He was flown by helicopter to the Role 3 multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Taskforce Kandahar commander Brig.-Gen Denis Thompson said fellow soldiers administered first aid but "the nature of his injuries were such that in spite of their efforts, his life could not be saved."
A member of the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Roberts transferred to the regular forces from the North Saskatchewan Regiment in August 2006 and was promoted to master corporal just two weeks ago.
Capt. Scott MacGregor, acting C Company commander, described Roberts as a "bang-on-guy, a soldier's soldier."
"No matter where he worked or who he worked with, he just fit in well with everybody," he said.
Calling it "one of those tragic stories," MacGregor said Roberts was engaged to be married and his fiancee is expecting a child within the next month.
Lieut. Brian Lacoursiere, a military spokesman in Saskatoon, said Roberts' mother and stepfather live in Dalmeny, Sask., just outside of Saskatoon and his fiancee lives in Prince Albert, Sask.
However, he said members of the family weren't yet ready to speak to the media but would release a statement in the coming days, and asked their privacy be respected until then.
Major Chris Lunney of Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba said Roberts had served with the Canadian Forces for more than a decade, having started in the reserves as an infantry soldier with the Calgary Highlanders.
"He was a very outgoing, likeable man and will be missed," said Lunney in a news release. "We at the Second Battalion now focus our efforts on ensuring he is laid to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves."
At the time of his death, Roberts and his battlegroup were involved in an operation with Afghan security forces and their Canadian mentors, aimed at disrupting insurgent activity along a tract of rugged farm land known to be a Taliban hotbed.
The troops set out early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures but it wasn't until about 9 a.m. that bullets began to fly.
Members of the battlegroup drove south from an outpost on the main highway, while Afghan forces and their Canadian mentors set out on foot across two wadis to form a block on either side.
Grape farmers who'd been toiling in their fields and women and children from area villages quickly fled the battlefield just before small arms gunfire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 millimetre recoilless rifle rounds littered the scorched countryside.
Canadian troops fired back from their armoured vehicles and called in artillery strikes as Canadian mentor teams on the ground hunkered down for cover, some of them waist deep in water.
Before long, troops realized they were also being fired on from the north.
It's believed private security providing escort for a civilian convoy was heading west along the main highway when it spotted the insurgents and opened fire, likely not realizing Canadian troops were already there engaging the group of about 15 insurgents.
While he offered few details, Thompson confirmed an investigation is underway to determine whether insurgents or members of the private security company were responsible for Roberts' death.
"There was a civilian convoy in the vicinity and the incident will be investigated," Thompson told reporters at Kandahar Airfield, the main coalition base in the southern province.
"The death of Roberts is being investigated and until we have conclusive results of the investigation, I can't give you a definitive statement."
Canadian troops couldn't do their job without the help of private security firms, Thompson said.
"Without private security firms it would be impossible to achieve what we're achieving here," he said. "We just don't have the numbers to do everything."
"As an example, they secure, some of our bases."
Maj. Bob Ritchie, taskforce commander for Zhari District, said it's not uncommon for private security contractors to engage insurgents.
In fact, he said, the area where Saturday's battle took place is just two kilometres away from where five fuel trucks were attacked about a month ago.
"Private contractors routinely operate within the battle space and they provide essential security to a lot of development and stabilization groups," he said. "I don't know whether they had a legitimate target or not.
"There's going to be an investigation into all of this activity," he said.
Despite all the confusion, the top mentor said the fledgling Afghan army "performed well" during the operation and have "demonstrated increased proficiency" and are "progressively moving towards autonomy."
Training the Afghan forces is key to Canada's 2011 exit strategy from Afghanistan.
While he provide few details about the incident, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan offered his condolences to Roberts' family.
"We are deeply affected by this loss. Josh will be greatly missed by his military family," Thompson said.
"As task force commander, I offer my deepest condolences to the members of Josh's family, to his fiancee, and to his friends and colleagues. Know that we stand with you in your grief, and we will do all we can to help you through the difficult days ahead."
Justin Rings, who served with the soldier for years in the North Saskatchewan Regiment, said Roberts called him a week ago from Afghanistan.
"He said it was hot and dusty," Rings said. "But there was a Tim Hortons, so it was all good."
He said Roberts went to Bosnia with the regiment in 2003. The soldier's latest job in Afghanistan put him in charge of making sure the soldiers in his command had everything they needed, and were doing OK emotionally and physically, he said.
"Josh was very good at what he did," he said. "Josh had a good ear, he was a good listener".
He added that while he was sad to hear of Roberts' death, he knew his friend was doing a job he believed in.
"He love soldiering. Some people are calling it a tragedy, but he died doing what he loved, so that's not a tragedy," he said.
A statement from an unnamed "best friend" delivered by Thompson described Roberts as "a no-nonsense kind of guy who lived like people dreamed."
"He was a fun-loving and genuine individual who was totally dedicated to the Army and held his section together. He looked out for his guys in ways they probably didn't realize," the statement read.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement calling Roberts an "excellent soldier" and "great Canadian" who will "not be forgotten."
Roberts is the 89th Canadian soldier to die during Canada's mission to Afghanistan. A Canadian diplomat was also killed in the country.
