Canadian troops kill children

Two young children died when Canadian troops opened fire on a car they feared was about to attack their convoy in Kandahar province, the Canadian Forces said Monday. - A statement said troops fired on a car in Kandahar province around sunset Sunday after its driver ignored repeated signals to keep a safe distance. - A brother and sister were killed, and their parents were receiving medical attention, according to sources at the local hospital. The children were aged two and four, though it was unclear which sibling was older. - "We deeply regret this incident, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased during this difficult time," the Canadian statement said. - The round was discharged when the car approached within 10 metres of the convoy, according to the military. - "Our soldiers are trained to take all appropriate steps to minimize civilian casualties. However, they must take action to protect themselves when they believe they are being threatened." - A third occupant was wounded, and the fourth and fifth occupants of the vehicle were not injured, the statement said. - Afghan police and coalition forces will investigate Sunday's incident. - Coalition forces run frequent advertising campaigns to warn locals to keep a safe distance from convoys and many locals are scared of getting close to military vehicles. - NATO commanders say they take all reasonable precautions and that militants, who regularly use civilian cars loaded with explosives in suicide missions, are to blame for endangering innocents. - Human Rights Watch estimates at least 300 Afghan civilians were mistakenly killed by coalition forces in 2007, with thousands dead since the mission's start six years ago. - Afghan and United Nations officials have urged international troops to take extra precautions to prevent civilian casualties.