Canada’s Defence Department is quietly conducting its second investigation into allegations regarding the conduct of  Joint Task Force 2, the highly secretive Canadian special forces unit, in Afghanistan from 2005 to 2008.  The initial probe, Sand Trap I, lasted a year and a half and resulted in no charges.  However, it sparked a second, wider criminal investigation, Sand Trap II.  The latter is currently examining allegations of improper killings of Afghans, possibly involving the forces of another nation.

In addition to the criminal investigation, a military board of inquiry will interview 100 witnesses as it looks into  administrative and non-criminal issues surrounding the case (“Afghan deaths focus of special forces probe,” CBC News, 14 September 2010).

DND photo