Four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Four Canadian soldiers have been killed in an attack in the Gumbad region of Afghanistan.

The men were travelling in a G-wagon about 75 kilometres north of Kandahar when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device at about 7:30 a.m. local time, said CTV's Sarah Galashan, reporting from Kandahar.

Three of the men were killed instantly. The fourth was airlifted to hospital but died before he arrived.

Three of the men have been identified as Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell, and Lieut. William Turner.

Dinning was born in Richmond Hill, Ont., and was stationed in Petawawa, Marshall was born in Victoria B.C. where he was also stationed, and Turner was from Toronto but was stationed in Edmonton.

At the request of family the military has not released the identity of the fourth victim.

The men were part of a mixed convoy of light armoured vehicles and G-wagons returning to Kandahar from Gumbad, where they had been stationed at a small outpost established in February, Galashan said.

Brig.-Gen. David Fraser held a press conference Saturday morning. He said he knew two of the soldiers personally, and praised their efforts in the region.

"Those soldiers were conducting operations to enhance the security of the area," Fraser said. "I had actually been in the area yesterday myself, talking with the local leaders. (They) had indicated that security had improved since we arrived in the area.

"They were exceptionally pleased and satisfied with the support given to them by the international community and the Canadians who were part of that community."

Fraser said an investigation into the attack is underway, and pledged troops will continue striving to establish peace in the region.

"Everybody here today is sadder, but we've redoubled our efforts to make sure we provide the hope and security and stability that Afghans expect from the international community, and that the international community will provide to them," Fraser said.

Just one day earlier Galashan had also visited the region where the four soldiers had been stationed.

"When we were visiting just yesterday they thought their operations were going quite well, that they had really made an impact on that community," she told CTV Newsnet, adding: "Certainly they were aware there were these dangers."

Sixteen Canadians, including diplomat Glyn Berry, have now lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2002.

The news comes a day after Pte. Robert Costall was honoured in a memorial service in Edmonton.

Costall, 22, of the First Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed last month during firefight with Taliban insurgents at a remote base in Afghanistan.

The military is investigating the possibility that Costall's death may have been the result of friendly fire.

The troops are committed in the region until early next year, although Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier has warned the international community may ask for continued support until a NATO-led mission ends in 2011.

Here is the DND/Canadian Forces press release:

Four Canadian Soldiers killed in Afghanistan

CEFCOM NR–06.008 - April 22, 2006

OTTAWA – Four Canadian soldiers were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Gumbad, approximately 75 kilometres north of Kandahar. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 22 (11 p.m. April 21 EDT).

Killed in the incident were:

Corporal Matthew Dinning, born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, stationed at 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters, Petawawa, Ontario;
Bombardier Myles Mansell, born in Victoria, British Columbia, of 5th (British Columbia) Field Regiment, stationed at Victoria, B.C.;
Lieutenant William Turner, born in Toronto, of Land Force Western Area Headquarters, stationed at Edmonton;
The identity of the fourth soldier is being withheld at the request of the next-of-kin.

Corporal Dinning, Bombardier Mansell and Lieutenant Turner died at the scene of the blast. The fourth soldier was evacuated by helicopter to Kandahar Airfield where he succumbed to his injuries after undergoing surgery.

All of the soldiers were serving as part of Task Force Afghanistan; their next-of-kin have been notified.

The soldiers were travelling in an armoured “G Wagon” (Gelaendenwagen) vehicle as part of a multi-vehicle convoy when the blast occurred. Immediately after the explosion, Canadian soldiers established a security cordon around the incident site and a medical technician administered immediate first aid. A detailed investigation is being conducted to determine the circumstances of the incident.

Repatriation of the four soldier’s remains is now being planned; details will be released as they become available.

Canada’s mission in Afghanistan is part of our contribution to the international campaign to help bring stability and security to the people of Afghanistan. The overarching goal is to help the Afghan people achieve peace by preventing their nation from relapsing into a failed state that gives terrorist and terrorist organizations a safe haven.

There are significant risks involved in these operations, but Canadian Forces members are among the best trained, and most experienced soldiers in the world. They are well led, well equipped, and fully prepared for the mission in Afghanistan.

Prior to this incident, 11 members of the Canadian Forces, and a civilian political director from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, have lost their lives in Afghanistan.

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