( From www.ctv.ca )
Pte. Jonathan Couturier
Canadian soldier killed, 11 injured in Afghan blast
Updated Thu. Sep. 17 2009 9:31 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier has died in an Afghan bomb attack, the second such death in less than a week.
The soldier has been identified as 23-year-old Pte. Jonathan Couturier of the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, based in Valcartier, Que.
Couturier, who was involved in a mission to seize weapons and control Taliban movements, was killed when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle as it drove about 25 kilometres south of Kandadar City.
He is the 131st Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.
Eleven others were also injured in the blast, but those injuries weren't serious, said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.
"At the time of his death, Jonathan was returning from an operation designed to protect the population by removing insurgent command and control networks in the Panjwaii district," said Vance, who is the commander of Task Force Kandahar.
"This meant capturing weapons and IED caches and preventing the movement of insurgents and weaponry into areas where innocent civilians might be harmed."
Vance said that the young soldier was like a "little brother" for some of the older soldiers, and that he maintained a sense of humour even during bleak situations.
His family & friends & comrades in arms need our prayers. Please support our troops.
Live well, Laugh well, Love well,
Jesus Saves
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