Mississauga mourns the death of a local soldier

A coffin carrying the body of the latest Canadian Forces soldier killed in Afghanistan was loaded on a Hercules plane during a sombre ramp ceremony in Kandahar Monday, marking the beginning of Trooper Marc Diab’s journey home.

Diab, 22, was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb northeast of Kandahar city, becoming the 112th Canadian soldier to die as part of the Afghan mission and the fourth in less than a week.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our fallen comrade during this very difficult time," Lt.-Col. Roger Barrett, 3 Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group commander, said in a statement.

"Members of Task Force Kandahar are committed to improving security and increasing development in Kandahar province. Despite these cowardly attacks we are determined to continue working with our Afghan and international partners towards a better future for the people of Afghanistan."

Four other Canadian soldiers were wounded in the attack. They were taken by helicopter to the Kandahar Airfield, where all are in stable condition. Three of the soldiers will be taken to a medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany, shortly.

The names of the injured soldiers will not be released.

Diab had dreamed of a military career since he was a child, said his mother, Jihan Diab, from her home in Mississauga, Ont.

He began calling himself a soldier when he was just eight years old, she said. Her son planned to settle down with his long-time girlfriend after she finished university, she added.

Diab and the wounded soldiers were conducting security operations in the mountainous region of Sha Wali Kot district, a known entry point for Taliban fighters, when the explosion occurred at about 1:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, the military said.

Diab was from the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was serving as a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group based in Petawawa, Ont., the military said.