A Canadian soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in the Dand district of Afghanistan.
Pte. Tyler William Todd, 26, was killed at approximately 7:30 a.m. Sunday near the town of Belanday, which is about eight kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
Another soldier, whose name was not released, was wounded in the blast.
Todd was from Kitchener, Ont., but was serving with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.
The Dand district is where Canadian news reporter Michelle Lang was killed alongside four Canadian soldiers at the end of last year.
Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, the commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said Todd was on a routine patrol, speaking to local villagers.
"The patrol was part of the battle group's effort to learn more about the village's people and their needs," Menard said.
Menard paid tribute to Todd, saying he died doing a job he loved with his best friends.
"He never allowed the small things to get to him and was often the rock upon which his comrades depended," Menard said. "His enthusiasm and strong will was an inspiration to his platoon."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his condolences to Todd's family and friends.
"The thoughts of an entire country are with you in this most difficult time. I also hope for the quick and full recovery of the other Canadian soldier injured in the same incident," he said in a statement.
"Canada is grateful for Pte. Tyler William Todd's sacrifice. We are all saddened by this loss."
The prime minister said Todd's death did not lessen his government's commitment to the mission. Canadian troops are scheduled to pull out of Afghanistan next year.
"The courage demonstrated by the Canadian Forces in this mission speaks to their dedication of creating a better future for the Afghan people. Canada's commitment to this goal is not diminished by this incident."
Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean also expressed her sadness upon hearing the news.
"Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones and colleagues of the courageous and generous Pte. Tyler William Todd, and we would like to offer them our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy," she said in a statement.
"His noble sacrifice will remain forever etched in our memory."
Defence Minister Peter MacKay extended his sympathies to Todd's family and friends, and praised the young soldier's professionalism.
"Our Canadian Forces members ... face an enemy that will go to any length to try to undermine any progress made. The courage demonstrated by Pte. Todd speaks volumes to his dedication to our country and to this mission," he said in a statement.
In the past, the Belanday region had been heavily travelled by Taliban militants who staged attacks on the village and the outskirts of Kandahar City from surrounding grape and wheat fields.
Pte. Patrick Lormand, 21, was killed in Sept. 2009 by an IED blast while on patrol around the town.
But Belanday is now considered the western tip of a security bubble that extends through the Dand district and the Canadians hoped to expand the region of security around the town.
Last November, the Canadian battle group established a permanent presence in Belanday, setting up a platoon house there as part of an experiment by military brass to have troops leave their fortified bases and live among the population.
It was lauded as a success at NATO headquarters and even praised by U.S. generals, as the Canadian soldiers turned the town from a no-go zone into an oasis of calm in Taliban territory.
Just a few weeks ago, Canadian troops and Afghan soldiers swept an area just south of Belanday and had been assured by locals that the Taliban had fled the area.
Todd's death brings to 142 the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the mission began.
