Defence Force funds $2m to answer 'Hit and Run' Afghanistan questions

A special unit with a budget of $2 million has been established by the Defence Force to put its side of the story to a government inquiry into a controversial operation in Afghanistan. Operation Burnham was carried out by SAS members in Baghlan province in August 2010. It was the subject of the book "Hit and Run", by journalists, Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson, who claim six civilians were killed and 15 injured in a raid on two Afghan villages by the elite New Zealand soldiers. Details about the Defence Force's Special Inquiry Office relating to Operation Burnham was contained in its response to an official information request by Mr Hager. Ann Marie May has read that response and discusses the details with Guyon Espiner.