Four Canadian soldiers have been killed and another eight injured in Afghanistan in two separate improvised explosive attacks.
The dead have been identified as: Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, 28, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, 24, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, 20, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, 22.
Vernelli and Crooks died in an early morning blast at about 6:45 a.m. local time while on foot patrol in the Zhari district west of Kandahar. Another five Canadian soldiers were injured in that attack and a local interpreter was killed.
Bouthillier and Hayes were killed about two hours later when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb attack in the Shah Wali Kot district, about 20 kilometres northeast of Kandahar city. Three others were injured.
All the deaths occurred as the Canadians were taking part in a major operation attacking Taliban command centres and supply lines.
The operation was described as the largest joint Canadian-American military operation since Korea, Â鶹´«Ã½' Jennifer Madigan reported from Kandahar.
About 2,000 U.S. and Canadian soldiers were involved in the operation. The offensive, called Operation Jaley, has been ongoing for the last four days under a total news blackout.
All the wounded soldiers were evacuated by helicopter and are listed in stable condition.
Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, urged Canadians in a statement to not consider the deaths a failure of any particular person or the mission.
"Success in war is costly. We are determined to succeed so that Afghan lives improve, but the insurgents are equally determined to challenge and prevent Afghanistan from flourishing as the nation it so wants to be. Remember, the deaths of these superb Canadians occurred as Canadian Forces were bringing safety to those in peril. Today, they succeeded," he said.
Vance added that the soldiers died protecting the Afghan people.
All of the soldiers were based out of CFB Petawawa.
Madigan said the news of the deaths quickly spread around the Canadian base in Kandahar.
"The mood was very somber, it was very quiet . . . people sitting around breakfast without saying a word," she said.
Vernelli was described as an experienced and well-respected soldier. He is survived by his spouse and six-month-old daughter.
Madigan said that Vernelli's tour of duty was postponed earlier so he could be home for his daughter's birth and he was a "proud father."
Doctors also agreed to induce labour so that he could be there for his daughter's birth.
Vernelli spoke to CTV Calgary shortly after her birth and said, "I'll miss her a lot but the time that I have with her now . . . I'm cherishing every second I have.
Crooks was described as a keen soldier, an excellent athlete who "would do anything for you without even being asked."
Madigan said Crooks was very popular and often was seen sitting with much higher ranked officers.
Both Vernelli and Crooks were of November Company, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment.
Bouthillier was known for his sense of humour, Vance said, and practiced martial arts.
Hayes was a "proud and dedicated soldier . . . who stood up for what was right," Vance said.
Both Bouthillier and Hayes were of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his condolences saying in a statement, "The commitment to make Afghanistan a better place to live, demonstrated on a daily basis by the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces, is a testament to the values respected and revered by all Canadians,"
The deaths bring the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 116.
