KABUL — No one was injured when a Canadian vehicle was shot at while returning from a patrol in the Afghan capital on the weekend, the military said Monday.

A ballistics expert said the lead vehicle in a convoy of Coyote armoured vehicles was hit by a rifle bullet on Saturday, said a statement.

The soldiers did not fire back.

The vehicles, part of NATO's Kabul Multi-National Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron, are based at Camp Julien on the southern edge of the city.

The incident occurred just before sunrise, as the Coyotes were driving home through a ravine east of Kabul.

The crew hatches of the leading vehicle were open, and the crew commander and gunner were observing the road from their cupolas when the bullet hit, said the statement.

"I heard a snap and both the gunner and I saw a large flash (a spark) from an object that struck the front of our turret," said Master Cpl. Kevin Mallot, crew commander of the lead Coyote.

Mallot ordered the driver to "step on it" to clear the area and warned the other vehicles by radio.

The Coyotes continued along their planned route before stopping briefly to confirm no one was injured and to inspect the turret.

Mallot said there was a half-centimetre groove in the paint where the bullet struck.

NATO forces are investigating.