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Four Canadians Killed, Eight Injured During Afghanistan Raids
by C. L. Cook
 The four soldiers died in two separate Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks Friday while patrolling the Zhari district, just west of Kandahar, and in the Shah Wali Kot district to the north of the city.
Master Cpl. Scott Francis Vernelli, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes were killed on Friday in two separate roadside bomb blasts in Kanadahar province on Friday. Eight Canadian soldiers were also wounded in the attacks. (Department of National Defence)
The deaths bring to 116 the number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since its "Mission" there began in 2001. Two Canadian aid workers, and a Canadian diplomat have too lost their lives in the embattled country.
Brigadier-General, Jonathan Vance said Troopers Jack Bouthillier and
Corey Joseph Hayes died in Zhari, while Master Corporals Scott Francis
Vernelli and Tyler Crooks perished in Shah Wali Kot. All were based at
Petawawa, Ontario.
Eight soldiers wounded Friday remain unnamed by the Canadian Forces, but a Forces' spokesperson confirmed at least one of the eight was airlifted to an American military hospital in Germany. The seven men in Kandahar are said to all be in "stable" condition in hospital.
The soldiers were taking part in what Vance called the 'largest joint U.S.-Canada offensive since the Korean conflict of the 1950's. The offensive began earlier this week, and according to a Canadian Broadcast Corporation reporter, it entailed the joint forces splitting into two battle groups that hoped to uncover weapons caches before the traditional Spring fighting season.
Vance warned reporters from the notion today's casualties were a set-back to the "Mission," saying'
"Please do not think of these incidents as a failure on the part of any person or the mission itself."
"These wonderful Canadian men were, at the moment of their deaths, engaged directly in the continuing work to keep the insurgency sufficiently at bay to ensure safety for the population and to preserve our ability to meet the objectives of the Afghans, the international community, and the government of Canada. "And those objectives are intended to meet the needs of a desperate Afghan population. Success in war is costly."
In a prepared statement, Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper said of the dead men;
"Canadians and the Government of Canada stand proudly in support of our Canadian Forces members as they strive to bring safety and stability back to Afghanistan. Master Corporal Vernelli, Trooper Bouthillier, Corporal Crooks and Trooper Hayes' sacrifice will not be forgotten. I join with all Canadians in wishing a prompt and full recovery to the other eight soldiers injured in these incidents."
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