News Release

Canadian Soldier Killed - One Other Wounded in Afghanistan

January 15, 2008

OTTAWA –At approximately 7:15 a.m. local time (in Kandahar) on January 15th, one Canadian soldier was killed when the armoured vehicle he was in struck a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED). One Canadian soldier was also injured.

The identity of the deceased soldier is Trooper Richard Renaud, 26 years old, of the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada based in Valcartier, Québec.

The incident occurred during a presence patrol in the Arghandab District, approximately 10 km North of Kandahar city.  The injured soldier was evacuated to the Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield.  The injured soldier is in good condition, has notified his family and is expected to be released from the hospital shortly.

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Canadian Forces go out to the family and friends of Trooper Renaud.

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CBC NEWS

The explosion happened at about 7:15 a.m. local time during a routine patrol in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, about 10 kilometres north of the city of Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche said at Kandahar airfield.

Trooper Richard Renaud, 26, from Alma north of Quebec City, was killed in the explosion, Laroche said. He was a member of the Valcartier-based 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, which can be informally translated as the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment. (The unit has no formal English name.)

The soldiers were riding in a Coyote armoured reconnaissance vehicle when it hit the improvised explosive device (IED), Laroche said.

The second soldier is doing well and has contacted his family, Laroche added. Two other soldiers in the vehicle were not injured.

This was the third roadside bomb attack against Canadian soldiers in as many days, although the previous two attacks resulted only in minor injuries.

Laroche dismissed speculation that the Taliban are gaining confidence in their operations, saying the recent attacks were simply a continuation of hostilities the southern provinces throughout the summer months.

Brig. Gen. Guy Laroche.
(CBC)

Despite the latest death and apparent increase in IED attacks, Laroche said the resolve among Canadians soldiers in the mission is stronger than ever.

"Whether you lose one or ten, it's always difficult," he said. "I would like to convey my most sincere sympathies to the families of our lost comrade."

Most of Canada's 2,500 troops participating in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan are in and around Kandahar province.  

The death brings the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002 to 77. One Canadian diplomat has also died on the mission.