OTTAWA– December 28, 2008, Canadian soldier, Warrant Officer Gaétan Roberge, 2nd Battalion, The Irish Regiment of Canada, as well as one member of the Afghan National Police and one Afghan interpreter were killed on December 27, 2008, when an explosive device detonated in their vicinity in the Panjwayi District.

Four other Canadian soldiers and one Afghan interpreter were injured in the incident, which occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time, approximately 25 kilometres west of Kandahar City.   The soldiers were conducting security operations in the area when the explosion occurred.