Posted on 08/22/2007 5:49:19 PM PDT by exg
2 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan Updated Wed. Aug. 22 2007 8:45 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Two Canadian soldiers and an interpreter have been killed in Afghanistan during a patrol, a Canadian general says.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche told a news conference Thursday in Kandahar that another soldier and two Canadian journalists were injured in the same incident, which occurred in southern Afghanistan.
Their LAV-III armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device, he said, a tactic he described as "vicious."
The operation in Zhari district -- about 50 kilometres west of Kandahar city -- was conducted by Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, which is part of the Quebec-based Royal 22nd Regiment popularly known as the Van Doos, he said.
"The mission was a success. And we have to say the losses that occurred today occurred at the end. They had reached their objectives, they had reached their mission," Laroche said.
The deaths didn't result from a "lack of care. They are a reality of Afghanistan," he said.
Laroche didn't name the soldiers or provide other personal information about them.
According to a military news release, the incident occurred at 6:19 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
The release said the soldiers were part of Operation Eagle Eye, "a joint Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and ISAF operation aimed at further stabilizing" Zhari district.
The goal was to improve security in the district's western area, where insurgents have been most active, to provide the conditions for meetings with village elders and reconstruction projects, it said.
Public broadcaster Radio Canada said both journalists were its employees. Cameraman Charles Dubois had suffered a serious leg injury. Reporter Patrice Roy was uninjured but is suffering from nervous shock, it said.
At a Wednesday news conference in Montreal, Radio-Canada vice-president Sylvain Lafrance said the men volunteered for the assignment, were well-trained and had been in Afghanistan since early August.
Roy will decide in the next day or two whether he will continue on Afghanistan, he said.
The two soldiers' deaths bring Canada's military total to 69 since 2002. A diplomat has also been killed.
The Van Doos suffered the first death of their deployment on Sunday. Pte. Simon Longtin, 23, died when the vehicle carrying him struck a roadside bomb. His body arrived back in Canada on Wednesday.
Sad news ping.
Prayers for brave Canadian Lads, their families, friends, and all of Canada.
I don’t think my heart will ever stop breaking.
bump
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News Release
Two Canadian soldiers and Afghan Interpreter killed in Afghanistan
CEFCOM NR–07.034 - August 22, 2007
OTTAWA - Two Canadian soldiers, and one Afghan interpreter were killed at approximately 6:19 p.m. Kandahar time today when their Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) struck a suspected mine approximately 50 kms West of Kandahar City. One Canadian soldier and two Canadian journalists were also injured at the time of the explosion and have been evacuated by helicopter to the Multinational Hospital at Kandahar Airfield.
The incident occurred during Operation EAGLE EYE, a joint Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and ISAF operation aimed at further stabilizing the District of Zharey. Members of the 3e Bataillon du Royal 22e Régiment and ANSF advanced to secure the western region of Zharey, where insurgents have been most active, to strengthen security conditions so that meetings can be held with local elders and authorities to support the delivery of reconstruction projects.
The names of the casualties are being withheld pending next of kin notification.
NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
The identities and home units of the fallen will only be released when next-of-kin notification is complete, and in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Unfortunately, little comfort for their families.God bless the fallen warriors and their families and a salute to the Canadians
*dam’n!*
Screen’s gone all blurry for some reason or another...
God keep our Land
Glorious and Free
O Canada
We stand on guard, for thee..
*DieHard*
I am so sorry. God bless them.
RIP brave soldiers - 3rd Battalion Royal 22nd Regiment - Van Doos
I’m sorry, my ping list is lost.
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OTTAWA (by e mail)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the deaths of two Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter, and the wounding of one soldier and two members of the media:
“It is a very sad day as we learn of the deaths of two Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. We are all proud of these exceptional Canadians and grateful for their sacrifices. I would like to extend, on behalf of the Government of Canada, our sympathies to the family and friends of these brave soldiers and the Afghan interpreter. I also wish a quick recovery to the Canadian soldier and two journalists injured in this incident.
These soldiers gave their life helping to bring stability and security to Afghanistan.
We will always remember them."
Thanks for that, and a great big USAF salute to our Canadian friends. My screen got a bit misty there. Thanks again.
Regards,
AR
Nice Kathy, very nice.
A bowed head and a thought from the UK.....
On a grammatical point.
“The Van Doos suffered the first...”
Being Canadians, and I guess from Quebec, shouldn’t the ‘Van Doos’ read ‘Vingt Deux’?
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