A 26-year-old Canadian soldier was killed in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday when his Coyote armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb. One other soldier was injured in the blast.
Trooper Richard Renaud, of Alma, Que., died in the attack at about 7:15 a.m. local time.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have claimed the vast majority of Canadian lives in Afghanistan, and Tuesday's attack was the third roadside explosion in just three days.
"It's what the insurgents are doing -- they're using IEDs, their weapon of choice," Brig.-Gen Guy Laroche told reporters in Kandahar.
Renaud was a member of the 12th Regiment of Blinde du Canada, Val Cartier, Que.
"I would like to convey my most sincere sympathies to the families of our lost comrade," said Laroche.
Renaud and the injured soldier, along with two others, were travelling inside a Coyote in the Arghandab district -- about 10 kilometres north of Kandahar city.
"The Coyote is a specific vehicle for reconnaissance. It's a very high-tech vehicle with the same chassis as the LAV (Light Armoured Vehicle)," Scott Taylor, publisher of military magazine Esprit de Corps, told CTV's Mike Duffy Live.
The injured Canadian soldier, who has not been identified, was taken to hospital at Kandahar Airfield and has since been released.
The soldiers were part of a routine "presence patrol" -- intended to demonstrate to local people and insurgents that Canadian forces remain active in the area.
"We go there often, it's something that we do on a regular basis following the operation that we conducted last November in the Arghandab district," said Laroche.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave his condolences to Renaud's family and friends, on behalf of Canadians.
"Our thoughts also go out to his comrade who was injured in the same incident. Our prayers are with them and their loved ones at this difficult time," said Harper in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.
"Trooper Renaud made the ultimate sacrifice while working to bring security, democracy and self-reliance to the people of Afghanistan, all the while protecting Canada's values and security.
Harper added that Renaud was part of coalition efforts that are "creating the conditions for reconstruction and development to progress in a country ravaged by decades of conflict."
Including Renaud's death, 78 Canadian military personnel have died since 2002, along with a Canadian diplomat.
On Monday, an IED blast in the Panjwaii district ended only with property damage.
But on Sunday, four soldiers were injured southwest of Kandahar city when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
CTV's Murray Oliver said the Taliban seems to be increasing the tempo and sophistication of their attacks across the country.
When asked if he saw an increase in attacks, Laroche said there has not been the traditional winter break by the Taliban. However, he said the level of attacks have remained at the same rate since the summer.
Canada has about 2,500 troops operating in Kandahar province, one of the most violent regions in the country.
