Afghan-raid soldiers face manslaughter charges

Brigadier Lyn McDade, the Director of Military Prosecutions, said the special forces soldiers face multiple charges including manslaughter, dangerous conduct and failing to comply with a lawful general order.

The charges relate to a February 2009 raid on a compound in southern Uruzgan province that was believed to harbour Taliban insurgents. Six Afghans, including five children, were killed, and another two children and two adults were wounded. The soldiers were not identified.

The civilians died after the Special Operations Task Group soldiers used gunfire and hand grenades during the operation, the defence department said at the time.

It has refused to comment on the attack since then. It initially conducted its own investigation, before referring the matter to the military prosecutor, which operates independently.