From CBC
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/09/29/soldier-afghanistan.htmlA Canadian soldier was killed Friday in an explosion as he patrolled an area west of Kandahar on foot.
Military officials have not released the name of the solider, one of more than 2,000 Canadians in Afghanistan's volatile southern region.
More to come.
From CTV
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060929/soldier_killed_060929/20060929?hub=TopStoriesCanadian soldier killed in Afghan explosion
Updated Fri. Sep. 29 2006 1:02 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier was killed Friday after stepping on a booby trap and triggering an explosion in southern Afghanistan.
The soldier, who was on foot patrol, was serving in the First Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.
He died around 1 p.m. in Panjwaii -- the scene of recent fighting and bombings west of Kandahar city.
The soldier's identity was withheld at the request of his family. The soldier's hometown and age were also not released.
His remains were taken by helicopter to Kandahar Airfield. One soldier was slightly hurt and no civilians were wounded in the bombing.
The explosion comes near the end of Canada's deadliest month in Afghanistan. Ten Canadian soldiers have died in September.
In all, 37 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have died on the mission to Afghanistan since 2002.
Most of Canada's 2,200 troops on the mission in Afghanistan operate in Kandahar province.
The latest death occured on the day when Canada's top soldier kicked off a visit to Afghanistan, describing success in that country as a "long, slow process" due to shifting Taliban tactics.
General Rick Hillier said reconstruction efforts have been frustrating and the Taliban resistance has gained strength, but he emphasized that Canadian soldiers are learning from every encounter with the enemy.
"Did we see a resurgent Taliban this spring that has slowed some of the development, particularly in the south? Yes,'' Hillier said.
"However they've been set on their back foot recently,'' he added, referring to the recent Canadian-led NATO push, dubbed Operation Medusa, that killed hundreds of Taliban in an area west of Kandahar, according to NATO.
Hillier's goal is to assess how the situation has changed in southern Afghanistan since he visited earlier in the year.
