A Canadian soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Trooper Larry Rudd, 26, was killed at 12:30 p.m. local time Monday while on a combat re-supply patrol near the village of Salavat, about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
Rudd was from the Royal Canadian Dragoons and served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont.
"Trooper Rudd will be remembered by the soldiers that served alongside him as a professional soldier who never complained regardless of the hardship that he and his crew endured," said Col. Simon Hetherington, deputy commander of Task Force Kandahar.
"He was the type of man that soldiers of all ranks looked to for friendship. Larry was a go-to soldier who always put the needs of his family, his friends and his fellow soldiers before those of his own."
Hetherington, who spoke on behalf of Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, who is on leave, said the tall and fit Rudd towered over his fellow soldiers and was known as the "Gentle Giant within his squadron."
"Larry was mature well beyond his rank and experience," Hetherington said, "and demonstrated enormous potential within the armoured corps and certainly within his regiment."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences to Rudd's family and friends, saying the country is "deeply saddened by your loss."
"The commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces is a great source of pride to all Canadians," Harper said in a statement. "We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices made by Trooper Rudd. He will not be forgotten."
A statement issued by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean also paid tribute to Rudd and his fellow soldiers.
"It is with the utmost respect that we honour his contributions and that of his fellow members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons, always ready to serve their country and give their all in response to the call of duty and for freedom," the statement said.
"Our thoughts go out to his parents, loved ones, colleagues and friends who have suffered a terrible loss. We understand and we share in their grief."
In a separate statement, Defence Minister Peter MacKay called Rudd's death "a tragic loss for the Canadian Forces and all of Canada."
Rudd's death comes two days after insurgents attacked Kandahar Airfield, the sprawling military base that houses Canadian and other coalition troops in southern Afghanistan.
During the four-hour attack, insurgents fired at least five rockets at the base before mounting a brief ground assault that was quickly put down.
While there are reports that coalition troops were injured in the attack, the extent of their injuries and their nationalities are not known.
Rudd, who was from Brantford, Ont., is the fourth Canadian to die in Afghanistan in May. On May 5, Petty Officer (second class) Craig Blake, 37, was killed by an IED about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
On May 14, Pte. Kevin McKay, 24, was killed by an IED while he was on foot patrol near Kandahar city.
And on May 18, Col. Geoff Parker, 42, was killed alongside five U.S. soldiers and 12 Afghan civilians by a suicide bombing in Kabul.
Rudd is the 146th Canadian soldier to be killed during the war in Afghanistan.
Two civilians -- diplomat Glyn Berry and Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang -- have also died.
