News Release
Name of Deceased Soldier Released

CEFCOM NR–06.024 - September 18, 2006

OTTAWA – One of the Canadian soldiers killed in today's suicide attack in Afghanistan was Private David Byers 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 km 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.

Pte David Byers, a member of 2 PPCLI was killed on Sept 18, 2006 by a suicide bomber who attacked his patrol in Afghanistan.
Task Force Afghanistan is part of Canada’s contribution to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This mission is about Canadians and
their international partners helping Afghans rebuild their lives, families, communities and nation. Canadian operations aim to
improve the quality of life of Afghans by providing a secure environment in which Afghan society can recover from more than 25 years
of conflict.

The Canadian Forces (CF) contribution in Afghanistan comprises about 2,000 soldiers, most of whom serve with Task Force Afghanistan
at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City. Additional personnel are assigned to various military headquarters, and
civilian organizations in Kabul and elsewhere in the country.