The Canadian military is launching an investigation after an Afghan elder accused Canadian Forces of leaving behind an unexploded shell that killed two boys.

According to a Panjwaii district elder, the boys were killed by a Canadian rocket in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Village -- about 15 kilometres outside the city.

The exact circumstances of the incident are not clear but local reports say the children may have found a shell left behind from a firing exercise.

Military Spokesman Maj. Mario Couture confirmed Monday that Canadian troops were in the area on Sunday conducting firing exercises.

However, Couture said the troops followed standard procedure and swept the fields before leaving.

"We do have very strict policies that prohibit leaving behind any unexploded ordinance," Couture told reporters at Kandahar Air Field.

He said the military makes every effort to ensure the "safety of Afghan civilians" and Canadian soldiers.

"Small arms qualified personnel conducted detailed examination of the range sites prior to departing and to make sure the range area was completely safe for Canadians and local village members and infrastructure," he said.

Still, he said a probe was being launched by the National Investigative Service.

"This area is known -- at least by us and I assume it's probably the case for the residents -- it's littered with all kinds of unexploded ordinance and mines," Couture said.

He also expressed his sadness over the deaths.

"Obviously as a parent myself when situations like that occur I can always think of my own children and I can't help but thinking about the families who are devastated by such a tragedy -- young children robbed of their youth so young."

Afghan National Police Gen. Matiullah Qati blamed the Taliban for the incident on Monday.

"We have seen the area and the wreckage of the mortar. It is actually a land mortar which is shot by the Taliban not (NATO) or Afghan officials," Matiullah said.

"It is a tragedy for these Afghan people who have lost their loved ones, but I blame the Taliban for shooting these kind of rockets which bring civilian casualties."

Meanwhile, a group of angry Afghans chanting "Death to Canada" protested in Monday outside the provincial council office in Kandahar city.

At the protest, the bloodied bodies of the two boys were displayed on the back of a small, wooden taxi.

Along with "Death to Canada," many of the protesters also chanted "Death to America."

The elder claims three children were also wounded by the rocket.

With files from The Canadian Press