Body of Canadian soldier begins trip home from Afghanistan

Hundreds of Canadian and NATO soldiers in Afghanistan bid a solemn farewell toone of their own on Friday as the body of Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh was sent home.

Accompanied by a bagpiper, Walsh's flag-draped coffin was loaded ona C-130 aircraft at Kandahar Air Field for the trip to Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

Walsh, who was with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry from CFB Shilo in Manitoba, was shot and killed Wednesdayin what appears to have been an accidental discharge ofa Canadian rifle.

Hehad arrived in Afghanistan a week ago andhad been involved in routine operationsabout 20 kilometres west of Kandahar when theshooting occurred.

Walshwas the sixth Canadian soldier to die since Aug. 3, and the 25th killed in the mission in Afghanistan.

Heis survived by his parents,his wife and three children.

The military's National Investigative Service said Thursday it has seized three rifles from the scene and is currently conducting forensics work.

The investigation is expected to take several months as the NIS determines if military or criminal charges are appropriate.

Officials have ruled out foul play and suicide, and are examining the possibilities of negligent and accidental weapon discharge.

They are also looking into the handling and maintenance of the weapon.