Suicide bomber attacks Canadian convoy Last Updated: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 | 5:36 AM ET CBC News
One civilian was reportedly killed and a soldier wounded when a suicide car bomber attacked a convoy of Canadian troops in southern Afghanistan Wednesday, officials said.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene in Kandahar said a Humvee in the convoy was burned and destroyed.
There were conflicting reports on the casualties. Afghan police said a passing truck driver was killed in the attack, and that two civilians and two Canadian soldiers were wounded.
But Capt. Mark Gough, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force in the south, said one ISAF soldier was lightly wounded in the bombing. Shortly after, he resumed duties.
The attack comes a day after a 22-year-old Canadian soldier was found dead in the sleeping quarters at Kandahar airfield, the main NATO military base in southern Afghanistan.
The Canadian military is investigating his death.
Meanwhile, NATO said Wednesday that four civilians were killed during a clash between its troops and insurgents in southern Afghanistan on Monday.
Two women and two children were caught in the line of fire and killed, the alliance said in a statement, adding that it was investigating the causes of their deaths.
The death of Bdr Ouelett is very sad as is any death, whether combat related or not. His family friends and comrades grieve just the same.
A 22-year-old Canadian soldier was found dead in Afghanistan on Tuesday, but a top military commander said the death was not related to combat.
Bombardier Jrmie Ouellet, 22, was found dead Tuesday on the military base in Kandahar.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche told reporters that Bombardier Jrmie Ouellet was found at 2:15 p.m. local time in the sleeping quarters at Kandahar airfield, the main NATO military base in southern Afghanistan.
Laroche said the Canadian military is investigating the circumstances surrounding Ouellet's death. He said more details would be provided once the investigation is complete.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Bombardier Ouellet, Laroche said at a late-night briefing in Kandahar, 12 hours after Ouellet was found.
Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to his family and colleagues.
Ouellet was from Matane, Que., and served with the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, which is based in Shilo, Man. He had only arrived in Afghanistan in the past few weeks.
Our troops are suffering greatly from stress and the fact that support for them is weakening.
The number of former soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress has more than tripled since Canada first deployed troops to Afghanistan, say figures released by Veterans Affairs Canada.
Figures obtained last summer by The Canadian Press show that of 1,300 Canadian Forces members who served in Afghanistan since 2005, 28 per cent had symptoms suggestive of one or more mental-health problems. The numbers are based on post-deployment screening.
Of those, just over six per cent were possibly suffering from PTSD and another five per cent showed symptoms of major depression.
Prior to going overseas soldiers are given briefings that involve a psychiatrist, a social worker and a mental-health nurse. Their services are also available at Kandahar Air Field for troops in theatre.
Within four months of coming home, there is post-deployment screening.
So sad for these troops doing a dangerous and difficult job.
My prayers go out to the wounded, the serving and the family of Bdr.Ouelette. Please support our troops by wearing Red On Friday
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
