[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Our hearts go out to her family and comrades.

Canadian killed, 4 wounded in Afghan blast

Trooper Karine Blais, with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group, was killed by a roadside bomb north of Kandahar City, Monday, April 13, 2009.

CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Tue. Apr. 14 2009 1:58 AM ET

A Canadian soldier died and four others were wounded when their armoured vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device north of Kandahar city on Monday.

The fallen soldier has been identified as Trooper Karine Blais. She was 21 years old and began her tour of duty just two weeks ago.

Blais was with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group -- the famed Quebec regiment nicknamed the Van Doos -- based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.

The soldiers were travelling through the Shah Wali Kowt District, when the roadside bomb detonated at about 5 p.m. local time on Monday.

In a statement released Tuesday morning in Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Blais as an energetic soldier who gave "100 per cent to every challenge she faced."

Vance said Blais demonstrated qualities of a future leader, adding she had a "unique sense of humour" and that she was respected by all members of her squadron.

"This young woman's life did not go to waste," said Vance. "Her life was lost in the pursuit of peace and stability."

Blais leaves behind her mother Josee, her grandmother Laurette and her brother, Billy.

The injured soldiers were airlifted to a military hospital at Kandahar airfield. Two of the soldiers were being treated by medical personnel and two have been released. The wounded soldiers have not been identified.

Blais is the second female Canadian soldier to be killed as part of the Afghan mission.

Capt. Nicola Goddard of the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery died in a grenade attack in the Panjwaii district, west of Kandahar city, on May 17, 2006.

Canada has lost 117 military personnel in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. Of that number, the majority have died from roadside bomb blasts.

"All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of our fallen comrades during this sad time," the military said in a press release Tuesday. "We will not forget their sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province."

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