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Nato troops killed in Afghanistan | Nato troops killed in Afghanistan |
(40 minutes later) | |
Six Canadian soldiers serving with the Nato-led force in south Afghanistan have been killed. | |
They died when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device, a statement from Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. | They died when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device, a statement from Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. |
"Our hearts ache for them and their families," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. | |
This is the worst single incident for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan for several months. | |
Mr Harper confirmed the deaths in the town of Verlinghem, France, while on a visit to mark the 90th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Vimy Ridge. | |
"Sadly, today has been a difficult day in Afghanistan. We have learned that an incident has claimed the lives of six Canadian soldiers and injured a number of others," he said. | |
"I know that as we gather here on Easter Sunday our hearts and prayers are with them." | |
Worst year | Worst year |
An Isaf spokeswoman told the BBC there had been no civilian casualties and that all signs pointed to the Taleban. | An Isaf spokeswoman told the BBC there had been no civilian casualties and that all signs pointed to the Taleban. |
"Certainly it lends itself to the type of tactic that Taleban extremists use," Lt Col Angela Billings said. | "Certainly it lends itself to the type of tactic that Taleban extremists use," Lt Col Angela Billings said. |
[The Taleban] resort to this type of tactic in order to hide in the shadows Lt Col Angela Billings, Isaf In pictures: Operation Achilles Taleban kill Afghan reporter | |
"Because they cannot beat us conventionally or tactically, they resort to this type of tactic in order to hide in the shadows." | "Because they cannot beat us conventionally or tactically, they resort to this type of tactic in order to hide in the shadows." |
Canadian and British troops make up most of the Isaf forces in the south. | |
"The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any UK involvement," said a British government spokeswoman earlier, referring to the latest incident. | |
The Taleban are maintaining strong opposition to Nato, particularly in the south and east. | The Taleban are maintaining strong opposition to Nato, particularly in the south and east. |
Last year saw the worst fighting in Afghanistan since coalition troops ousted the Taleban in 2001 with some 4,000 people believed to have been killed - about a quarter of them civilians. | Last year saw the worst fighting in Afghanistan since coalition troops ousted the Taleban in 2001 with some 4,000 people believed to have been killed - about a quarter of them civilians. |
Helmand has been the focus of a recent operation by Isaf troops against militants. | Helmand has been the focus of a recent operation by Isaf troops against militants. |
About 100 insurgents have been killed in it so far, officials say. | About 100 insurgents have been killed in it so far, officials say. |