Operation Baawar (Pashto for assurance), was a major Afghan-led offensive in Afghanistan west of the city of Kandahar. The operation took place primarily in a sector known as the Horn of Panjwaii.[1][2] The combat operation started on December 5, 2010.[3] Canadian troops from Task Force Kandahar, including those from the 1st Battalion Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, worked with the Afghan National Army's 1st Brigade of the 205th (Hero) Corps as part of the larger Operation Hamkari.[4] Part of Operation Baawar included Canadian and Afghan engineering units building 17 kilometres (11 mi) of road between Mushan and Sperwan Ghar.[5]
On December 18, Corporal Steve Martin, from 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, serving with 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, was killed by an improvised explosive device in the Panjwai district of Kandahar Province.[8][9] He was reportedly patrolling on foot near the new road being built in the area when the blast occurred.[10][11]
