An IED blast has killed a Canadian solider in Afghanistan, the second such death in less than a week.
Sapper Steven Marshall died Friday while on patrol about 10 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. Marshall was a member of the 1st Combat Engineering Regiment, which is based in Edmonton, Alta.
He is the 133rd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan. There were no other injuries reported late Friday.
The 24-year-old soldier had only been in the country for a week before the blast, and the death comes just as the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry begin their rotation in the country.
"At the time of his death, Steven was working toward securing the Panjwaii district in order to provide a more stable environment for the Afghan population living there," Task Force Commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance told reporters on Friday.
"A stable environment is the best defence against insurgents, because they have no way to counter the positive effects that soldiers like Steven bring to bear," said Vance.
The latest casualty comes three days after 26-year-old Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes died while on foot patrol. Boyes also died after an IED blast.
"Know that his death will also sadden the Afghan community where he worked to bring them a better life," added Vance.
Marshall was described as a popular soldier in his unit who had a great sense of humour and smile that was "contagious."
A Canadian Press reporter who was at platoon station in the town of Belanday heard the blast occur on Friday. The explosion was followed by a smattering of small arms fire.
The Canadian military has been conducting counter-insurgency operations in the town of Belanday and its surrounding areas as part of a so-called model village program.
With files from The Canadian Press
