Deceased Soldier Was From Espanola

News Release

Department Of National Defence

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One of the Canadian soldiers killed in today's suicide attack in Afghanistan was Private David Byers [shown] of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Manitoba.

Family for the three other deceased soldiers have requested that the names of their loved ones not be released at this time.

Plans are being made to medevac ten Canadian soldiers who were injured in today's suicide attack to Landsthul, Germany, for further medical treatment.

Pending medical assessments, several other soldiers may also be sent to Germany.

None of the soldiers have life-threatening injuries.

Four Canadian soldiers were killed and a number of others injured when a suicide bomber, travelling on a bicycle, detonated his bomb near Canadian troops on foot patrol in the Panjwayi district, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

The attack occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. Kandahar time, about 30 kilometres west of Kandahar City.

A number of civilians, including children, were also injured in the attack.

Two children are being treated by Canadian medical personnel at Kandahar Airfield.

The Canadian soldiers were in Panjwayi to help bring security and normalcy to the area after Canadian, Afghan and international troops successfully forced out Taliban insurgents from the area.

The insurgents had previously caused civilians to flee the area due to threats, intimidation and violence.

Reconstruction of Afghanistan is the overarching goal of Canada and of the international community.

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