Four Canadian soldiers killed in 11 days in Afghanistan

KIA Sept. 14, 2009.

OTTAWA – (Update) Bomb-rigged Kandahar fields have killed another Canadian soldier – the fourth in 11 days.

11 other Canadian soldiers on foot patrol were injured in the latest roadside bomb explosion on Thursday.

“One Canadian soldier was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of his vehicle while on patrol in Panjwai District. The incident occurred approximately 25 kilometres South-West of Kandahar City,” the Department of National Defence said.

“Killed in action was Private Jonathan Couturier from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22^e Régiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec. He was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22^e Régiment Battle Group,” DND said.

Eleven other soldiers on foot patrol in the vicinity of the explosion were also injured. The injured soldiers were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield and are in good condition.

On Sunday, a similar bomb explosion killed Private Patrick Lormand. Four of his comrades were injured when the explosive ripped open their armored car.

The bomb exploded while they were patrolling a road in Panjwjai District 10 kilometres south-west of Kandahar City.

On Sept. 6, two Canadian soldiers were killed and five injured in a similar incident.

Lormand was from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment based in Valcartier, Quebec. Private Lormand was serving as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group, Quebec.

Four other Canadian Forces members  injured on Sunday were evacuated by helicopter to the Multi-National Medical Facility at the Kandahar Airfield. They have all since been released. Their identities will not be made public, DND said.

U.S. forces have been reporting a casualty a day in September as Afghanistan faces potential turmoil from accusations of vote rigging in the presidential election and a growing Taliban insurgency.

Italy is thinking of pulling out of Afghanistan after six paratroopers were killed in a massive car bombing in Kabul. One Italian newspaper called it a “slaughter.”

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