An improvised explosive device killed three Canadian soldiers and injured two others in Afghanistan, bringing the country's military death toll to 111.
The Canadian Forces personnel were killed on Tuesday when an improvised explosive device detonated near an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Arghandab district.
The incident happened northwest of Kandahar City on Tuesday, as Canadian Forces personnel conducted security operations in the area.
"It is with great sadness that I must announce three soldiers were killed yesterday when an improvised explosive device detonated near a vehicle patrol of Canadian soldiers," Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, told a news conference.
Killed in the blast were:
- Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment
- Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin of the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron from 3-Wing Bagotville
- Cpl. Kenneth Chad O'Quinn from CFB Petawawa's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean both expressed their condolences to the soldiers' families.
"Our entire country stands behind you in these most difficult and trying times," Harper said in a statement on Wednesday.
"These soldiers served valiantly alongside their comrades while helping to build a stable Afghanistan."
Jean said the soldiers risked their own lives to work with the Afghan people, towards peace.
"With amazing courage, generosity and conviction they responded to the call of duty in an effort to bring peace to a country mired in conflict. It cost them their lives. They deserve our utmost respect," Jean said in a statement.
The casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the Role 3 Multi-National Medical Facility at Kandahar Airfield, Vance said.
The two injured soldiers were also taken to Kandahar Airfield. They are in good and fair condition, and their names will not be released.
Since the start of Canadian military activities in Afghanistan, 111 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives.
A Canadian diplomat and two Canadian aid workers have also been killed over the course of the insurgency.
The most recent death to occur before today's announcement was on Jan. 31, 2009 - Sapper Sean David Greenfield.
There were no deaths in the month of February. Two soldiers were killed in the month of January and nine in December -- all by IEDs.
Details of explosion
The massive explosion happened after Canada's Quick Reaction Force squad responded to a call from the Afghan National Police.
Maj. Rob Dunn told reporters that at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, the Afghan National Police called in an IED find on a main supply route near the village of Jelawur in the Arghandab district. The location is about 10 kilometers northwest of Kandahar City.
Canada's Quick Reaction Force squad responded and with the help of Afghan police safely defused the IED.
On their way back to Kandahar City, their armoured vehicle hit another roadside bomb.
"These men who were killed were part of a special response team that was sent out yesterday to go defuse a roadside bomb in what has been a relatively safe part of this country," said the Globe and Mail's Gloria Galloway, reporting from Kandahar.
"They defused the bomb, they took the bomb out of the earth, and as they were on their way back home they hit another bomb and it exploded, killing three of our Canadian soldiers and wounding two others," Galloway told CTV's Canada AM.
The Arghandab district has been traditionally less dangerous than neighbouring Panjwaii and Zhari districts, but in the last two weeks it's been increasing in insurgent activity.
Dunn, a Canadian Forces Operations Officer, said there have been four IED finds and one IED strike in the last two weeks alone.
"I think what is telling from this is that we are moving from a winter campaign to a spring campaign -- or a spring offensive," Dunn said.
Fallen soldiers
Brown, a reservist soldier with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, leaves behind a wife and four children.
He was described by Vance as cheerful and upbeat, no matter what challenge he was facing. As a civilian, he served as a police special constable.
Fortin, a member of the air force based out of Bagotville, Que., was a strong supporter of the Montreal Canadiens and was known to his fellow soldiers as 'Danny-O.'
O'Quinn was based out of CFB Petawawa and served with the 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron.
He was described as a "proud, dedicated soldier who had a bright future ahead of him."
Vance said O'Quinn "believed he could accomplish anything in his life and everyone had the same faith in him."
