Canada in Afghanistan

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Three more of our boys down... sappers all, this time. RIP.

CTV.ca News Staff

Updated: Thu. Aug. 21 2008 12:10 PM ET Three 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 also injured by the blast.

The device detonated near the soldiers' vehicle at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, said Thompson.

"Afghan national police and Canadian Forces responded to the scene and medical evacuation was requested," he said.

"All four soldiers were evacuated to Kandahar Air Field. Sadly, three of the soldiers were confirmed dead by medical authorities."

Sgt. Shawn Eades has been identified as one of the soldiers killed in the attack.

Eades was widely "respected by his subordinates, his peers and his superiors," said Thompson.

"He was a veteran soldier and this was his third tour in Afghanistan," he said. "He was a devoted father who liked to share stories of his children with his colleagues and friends."

Thompson said the families of the other two soldiers killed have asked that their names be withheld at this time.

He added that the injured soldier was in "serious, but stable, condition."

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.

"They were a well-trained, highly motivated crew that believed in the mission," said Thompson.

"As combat engineers they were proud, resourceful and armed with the technical knowledge that they generally used to assist the mission in helping the people of Kandahar province."

The deaths bring the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died during the Afghan mission to 93.