KANDAHAR, Afghanistan Two Canadian soldiers were wounded yesterday, one seriously, during a firefight with Taliban west of Kandahar City.
The soldiers were hit during a sweep through an area of villages and farms that have been the scene of numerous clashes with insurgents over the last two months, said Maj. Mark Theriault, a Canadian Forces spokesman.
"In response to small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, Canadian and Afghan soldiers returned fire and called in coalition air support," Theriault said.
Both soldiers were evacuated to the hospital at the international coalition base in Kandahar.
The more seriously injured of the two was wounded in the firefight.
The other man was hurt as a result of the coalition air strike.
He was listed in good condition.
The seriously wounded soldier was to be airlifted to the U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for more extensive treatment.
Neither soldier was identified and the exact nature of their wounds was not released.
During the firefight, the Canadian battle group also called in artillery support from a battery of heavy guns.
At least five Taliban insurgents were killed in the firefight, Theriault said.
"This was part of a joint Afghan-coalition security operation aimed at removing the Taliban threat to Afghan citizens in the region west of Kandahar City," he said.
"The fighting has been fierce," Theriault added.
PUBLICATION: The Toronto Star
DATE: 2006.07.09
BYLINE: John Cotter
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