Many of the NATO countries have caveats specifically prohibiting them from dealing with detainees/prisoners or requiring them to turn over detainees/prisoners within a set period. Without going into any classified details - and strictly based on my recent experience there, as I have no direct knowledge of the incident - I would bet that the unusual circumstances required consultation with national authorities as to what the forces on the ground could or could not do within the constraints of national policy. I would further assume - again, just thinking out loud here - that the commander was told by his political masters that he could track the prisoners but he must allow the Afghans to do the actual apprehension.

Perhaps some of our Commonwealth members could clarify? Knowing the Canadians as I do, I'll bet there was much frustration in their ranks that evening.