Canadian soldier among 13 NATO personnel killed

A Canadian soldier was among the 13 NATO personnel killed when the suicide bomber rammed a van into an armored NATO bus.

The attack happened as the bus was travelling between bases in Kabul. The dead includes five soldiers – the Canadian and four American soldiers – and eight civilian contractors. This is the first Canadian death in Afghanistan since the combat mission ended earlier this year. The military has not released the soldier’s name or hometown yet, but say the family has been notified.

About nine hundred Canadians are still in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the mission is relatively safe, but defence experts have noted there is always danger in a war zone.

This recent attack is the deadliest one on NATO in Afghanistan in more than two months. The Taliban is claiming responsibility.