Three Canadians Killed in Afghanistan

Although there is little doubt that Taliban forces have regrouped within Afghanistan their bases in the Tribal Regions of Pakistan are essential to their continuing strength. The massive bombing, by the Taliban, in Pakistan of Pakistan’s largest weapons complex earlier today (or yesterday depending how you count the days) killed at least 63 people. The intention was clearly to heighten the turmoil following Pervez Musharraf’s ousting as president. Yesterday's attack on French forces was clearly a show of strength and was, perhaps, tied to the attack in Pakistan. If Allied forces enter Pakistan to clear out Taliban fighters there is a real risk the war will spread -- remember Cambodia? Tough decisions all around; but I am still a supporter of the mission.


Three Canadians killed in roadside bomb attackThree Canadian soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan's Zhari district, Canadian military officials have confirmed.

Task force commander Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson made the announcement from Kandahar Thursday, adding that a fourth soldier was seriously injured by the blast.

The soldiers that were killed have been identified as Sgt. Shawn Eades, 33, Cpl. Dustin Roy Robert Joseph Wasden and Sapper Stephan John Stock.

The three soldiers were combat engineers with 12 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton, and were attached to the Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group.

The Canadian deaths come on top of an already deadly week for NATO forces in Afghanistan. 10 French soldiers and three Polish soldiers died while fighting militants this week.
But Thompson said that the attacks should not be seen as indicative that the Taliban is increasing in strength.

"What I'd say is that they're much more aggressive this fighting season than they've been in the past," Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan said.

But a retired Canadian general calls the Taliban's strength "disturbing".

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