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Canadian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan
Updated Mon. Jun. 8 2009 2:25 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan was killed Monday by an improvised explosive device in the volatile Panjwaii district.
Pte. Alexandre (Pelo) Peloquin, 20, of the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, was based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City.
Peloquin's hometown has not been released. He is survived by his mother, Monique.
"Pelo, as named by his friends, was a strong man, remarkably fit and very courageous," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the senior commander in Kandahar province.
"His family and friends should be very proud of him, and so should all Canadians, for he represented the very best of Canada."
No other soldiers were injured in the explosion, which occurred in Nakhoney, a village about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
Peloquin was taking part in a six-day operation to locate and defuse improvised explosive devices.
According to Vance, the team confiscated 15 IEDs as well as material that could be used to make hundreds more of the deadly weapons.
"The local population is extremely happy and wants us to continue," Vance said.
"Pte. Peloquin was part of a successful operation, and he contributed to that success today."
Vance praised Peloquin for his "outstanding" dedication to the Afghan mission, and said the young soldier "will be missed."
Peloquin's death brings to 119 the total number of Canadian soldiers to die during the Afghanistan mission since it began in 2002.
It was the first Canadian death in the country since April 23, when Maj. Michelle Mendes, a 30-year-old intelligence officer from Ottawa, was found dead in an accommodation room at Kandahar Airfield.
Canadian soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan
Updated Mon. Jun. 8 2009 2:25 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Canadian soldier on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan was killed Monday by an improvised explosive device in the volatile Panjwaii district.
Pte. Alexandre (Pelo) Peloquin, 20, of the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment, was based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City.
Peloquin's hometown has not been released. He is survived by his mother, Monique.
"Pelo, as named by his friends, was a strong man, remarkably fit and very courageous," said Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, the senior commander in Kandahar province.
"His family and friends should be very proud of him, and so should all Canadians, for he represented the very best of Canada."
No other soldiers were injured in the explosion, which occurred in Nakhoney, a village about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.
Peloquin was taking part in a six-day operation to locate and defuse improvised explosive devices.
According to Vance, the team confiscated 15 IEDs as well as material that could be used to make hundreds more of the deadly weapons.
"The local population is extremely happy and wants us to continue," Vance said.
"Pte. Peloquin was part of a successful operation, and he contributed to that success today."
Vance praised Peloquin for his "outstanding" dedication to the Afghan mission, and said the young soldier "will be missed."
Peloquin's death brings to 119 the total number of Canadian soldiers to die during the Afghanistan mission since it began in 2002.
It was the first Canadian death in the country since April 23, when Maj. Michelle Mendes, a 30-year-old intelligence officer from Ottawa, was found dead in an accommodation room at Kandahar Airfield.