By Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A Canadian soldier has been killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
Cpl. James Hayward Arnal was struck by an explosion late Friday during a night patrol in Panjwaii district near Kandahar city.
Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan lauded him as a fearless fighter who had left a lucrative career in information technology to join the army.
"Clearly, he was a dedicated soldier with a very promising career ahead of him," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's commander in Afghanistan.
Arnal, based out of CFB Shilo, Man., was the 88th Canadian soldier killed in the Afghan mission, and the first in two weeks.
After paying tribute to his corporal, Thompson appeared to address suggestions that the Canadian government and military have been sugar-coating the difficult realities of the Afghan mission.
He bluntly described the situation as difficult.
"Of course, soldiers are also not afraid to talk about the challenges faced here in Afghanistan," Thompson said.
"Let there be no doubt - we do have our work cut out for us."
"This insurgency is not going to be defeated in the short term, which is why our focus is on winning the trust of the Afghan people, and building up local government and security institutions."
He said the military is determined to carry on with the mission - and is convinced it will succeed.
Another Canadian soldier sustained injuries in the blast but was said to be in good condition and was expected to return to duty.
Suicide attacks, roadside bombs and coalition casualties have significantly increased in each of the last three years.
But the number of Afghan children going to school and the national economy has also been growing.
In a reminder of the security risk Saturday, a suicide bomber blew himself up just several hundred metres away from the main coalition base in Kandahar.
The bomber was spotted by an Afghan policeman on the main road to Kandahar Airfield, tried running away, and detonated himself with nobody close by.
One policeman and one young boy were injured, while the bomber's body was ripped to pieces by the force of the blast.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A Canadian soldier has been killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan.
Cpl. James Hayward Arnal was struck by an explosion late Friday during a night patrol in Panjwaii district near Kandahar city.
Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan lauded him as a fearless fighter who had left a lucrative career in information technology to join the army.
"Clearly, he was a dedicated soldier with a very promising career ahead of him," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, Canada's commander in Afghanistan.
Arnal, based out of CFB Shilo, Man., was the 88th Canadian soldier killed in the Afghan mission, and the first in two weeks.
After paying tribute to his corporal, Thompson appeared to address suggestions that the Canadian government and military have been sugar-coating the difficult realities of the Afghan mission.
He bluntly described the situation as difficult.
"Of course, soldiers are also not afraid to talk about the challenges faced here in Afghanistan," Thompson said.
"Let there be no doubt - we do have our work cut out for us."
"This insurgency is not going to be defeated in the short term, which is why our focus is on winning the trust of the Afghan people, and building up local government and security institutions."
He said the military is determined to carry on with the mission - and is convinced it will succeed.
Another Canadian soldier sustained injuries in the blast but was said to be in good condition and was expected to return to duty.
Suicide attacks, roadside bombs and coalition casualties have significantly increased in each of the last three years.
But the number of Afghan children going to school and the national economy has also been growing.
In a reminder of the security risk Saturday, a suicide bomber blew himself up just several hundred metres away from the main coalition base in Kandahar.
The bomber was spotted by an Afghan policeman on the main road to Kandahar Airfield, tried running away, and detonated himself with nobody close by.
One policeman and one young boy were injured, while the bomber's body was ripped to pieces by the force of the blast.
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