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Nato troops killed in Afghanistan | Nato troops killed in Afghanistan |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Six Canadian soldiers serving with the Nato-led force in south Afghanistan have been killed, while another Nato soldier died in a separate incident. | Six Canadian soldiers serving with the Nato-led force in south Afghanistan have been killed, while another Nato soldier died in a separate incident. |
The Canadians were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. | The Canadians were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in hit an explosive device, Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said. |
"Our hearts ache for them and their families," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. | "Our hearts ache for them and their families," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. |
It is the worst single incident for the Nato-led force since 2005. | It is the worst single incident for the Nato-led force since 2005. |
'Dangerous terrain' | 'Dangerous terrain' |
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. | 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. | "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." | "I know that as we gather here on Easter Sunday our hearts and prayers are with them." |
At least one soldier was also injured in the explosion, which caused the most casualties suffered by Canadian forces in a single day since they deployed to Afghanistan in 2002. | |
Addressing a group of veterans, Mr Harper drew parallels with WWI and the challenges faced by troops in Afghanistan today. | Addressing a group of veterans, Mr Harper drew parallels with WWI and the challenges faced by troops in Afghanistan today. |
"For these men and women, the terrain of Kandahar province looks as desolate and dangerous as Flanders field did 90 years ago," he said. | "For these men and women, the terrain of Kandahar province looks as desolate and dangerous as Flanders field did 90 years ago," he said. |
Worst year | Worst year |
Elsewhere in southern Afghanistan, another roadside blast killed one Nato soldier and wounded two others earlier in the day, Nato said. | Elsewhere in southern Afghanistan, another roadside blast killed one Nato soldier and wounded two others earlier in the day, Nato said. |
It did not released the nationality of those soldiers. | It did not released the nationality of those soldiers. |
An Isaf spokeswoman told the BBC there had been no civilian casualties in the blast that killed the Canadians and that all signs pointed to the Taleban. | An Isaf spokeswoman told the BBC there had been no civilian casualties in the blast that killed the Canadians 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 | [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. | Canadian and British troops make up most of the Isaf forces in the south. |
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. |