Australian soldiers accused of covering up killing of Afghan boy

AVA- A source with knowledge of that incident told the ABC that Australian special forces soldiers were moving through the remote area during the early hours of the morning when they shot a boy dead, then left his body where it lay.
Khan Mohammed

The ABC's source alleges Khan Mohammed's death was covered up by Australian soldiers. Supplied

It was later found by local villagers and retrieved by his family.

The source said there was no obvious insurgent activity in the area at the time, and the patrol had not been fired on prior to the boy’s death.

The killing was allegedly never reported up the chain of command, and was never the subject of any inquiry. Defence has confirmed to the ABC it has no record of a civilian casualty occurring in that area at that time.

The office of the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) is currently carrying out a wide-ranging inquiry into the culture of Australia’s special forces, including allegations of unlawful killings committed in Afghanistan.

The inquiry, which began last year, is being headed by NSW Supreme Court judge Paul Brereton.

It is investigating a number of incidents, including the death of the Afghan boy and although the terms of reference of the inquiry refer to “rumours”, it is now clear it is investigating specific allegations.