KANDAHAR - The commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan is being investigated after his assault rifle unexpectedly went off at Kandahar Airfield.
Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard says it's not been determined whether there was a malfunction -- or whether it was an accidental discharge.
No one was hurt and nothing damaged in the March 25 incident, which Menard voluntarily disclosed to reporters Saturday night.
The general routinely travels outside of the wire, visiting troops at forward bases throughout Kandahar.
He wouldn't discuss details of the incident since it is under review by the military's National Investigative Service.
If it's found to be an accidental discharge, Menard as a general officer, faces an automatic court martial with the possibility of a fine.
The military takes weapons security seriously and Menard says he is no different than his soldiers and that's why he ordered the investigation on himself.
It's unclear how long the probe will take.
An army reservist from Glace Bay, N.S. was charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a fellow Canadian soldier in Afghanistan in the spring of 2007.
But Cpl. Matthew Wilcox was eventually found guilty of the lesser charges of criminal negligence causing death and negligent performance of duty.
He shot his close friend Cpl. Kevin Megeney in the chest while the two were in their tent at the Kandahar airbase.
