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Three Canadians Die in Afghanistan Bombing

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Created on Wednesday, 04 March 2009 18:13
Written by Chris Cook
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Three Canadians Die in Afghanistan Bombing
by C. L. Cook
Three more Canadians died today in Afghanistan, victims of a roadside bomb. The three members of Canada's so-named, "Quick Reaction Force" were returning to base when their armoured vehicle was hit.
 
Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown and Corporals Dany Fortin, and Kenneth O'Quinn are the 109th, 110th, and 111th Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since Canada's  deployment there in 2001.
 
Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown (DND)  
 
Two Canadian aid workers and one diplomat have too been killed there.

Two others in the armoured vehicle crew wounded were evacuated to hospital at Kandahar Airbase and are said to be in "fair" and "good" condition.
 
 

The three were killed shortly after they defused another Improvised Explosive Device (IED) found along the roadway often used by Canadian Forces patrols. The security situation in the southern province has deteriorated since a change of tactics, a "surge" consisting of an escalation of American air raids and stepped up operations, began last year. The attack comes on the day the third quarterly Afghanistan progress report was tabled in the Canadian parliament.

The report paints a grim picture, noting higher rates of attacks against foreign forces, and increased violence directed against civilians. International Trade Minister Stockwell Day said progress in the country was still possible, despite today's graphic example of the heightened risk to soldiers there. The report says 2008 was the deadliest year for foreign troops in Afghanistan since the war and occupation began in late 2001.
 
Cpl. Dany Fortin. (DND)

Day says, despite the apparent contradiction, "progress" is possible amidst increased violence.

"The two can happen at the same time; progress in specific areas, [and] some overall increase in activity on the part of the insurgents. [...] And we believe that we will see that once again be pushed away as the Afghan army, the Afghan police and the Afghan people themselves are more able to take matters into their own hands."

 
 
Cpl. Kenneth O'Quinn. (DND)
 
Speaking for the Canadian Forces, Brigadier General Jon Vance said of the death of the three men;

"Canada lost three outstanding soldiers, men who were dedicated to their country — to making a difference here in Afghanistan so that others could have hope of a peaceful and stable life."