4 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Last Updated Sat, 22 Apr 2006 16:45:53 EDT

CBC News

A roadside bomb killed four soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Saturday in the deadliest attack on Canadian forces since they began their latest mission to secure and rebuild the country.

The four were travelling in an armoured vehicle called a G-wagon when it was blown onto its side by an improvised explosive device, 70 kilometres north of Kandahar city, around 7:30 a.m. local time Saturday.

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The four Canadians killed have been identified. From top: Cpl. Matthew Dinning, Lieut. William Turner, Bombardier Myles Mansell and Cpl. Randy Payne. (National Defence)

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Three of the men died at the scene, near Gumbad, a small outpost established by the Canadians two months ago. The fourth died shortly after being transported to the hospital at the coalition air base in Kandahar.

The defence department has identified the Canadians:

• Cpl. Matthew Dinning, born in Richmond Hill, Ont., and stationed at Petawawa, Ont.
• Bombardier Myles Mansell, born in Victoria, B.C., and stationed at Victoria.
• Cpl. Randy Payne, stationed in Wainwright, Alta.
• Lieut. William Turner, born in Toronto and stationed at Edmonton.

The four soldiers were all in the same jeep, which was part of a mixed convoy made up of more heavily armoured vehicles, such as LAVs and Bisons.

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"It's a sad day for Task Force Aegis and the coalition," said Brig-Gen. David Fraser, commander of the forces in Kandahar. "Those soldiers were conducting operations to enhance the security of the Shah Wali Kot [district].

"They were doing outstanding work, having positive effects. I had actually been in the area yesterday myself, talking with the local leaders [who] indicated that security has improved since we've arrived in the area."

A G-wagon, similar to the one attacked on Saturday. (Canadian Press)

Canada has 2,300 soldiers in southern Afghanistan and took command in February of a multinational force fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda members.

Taliban militants have been stepping up attacks in recent weeks against coalition and Afghan forces across southern Afghanistan, a former Taliban stronghold.

Sixteen Canadians, including a senior diplomat, have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

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