KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Three young Canadian soldiers killed Wednesday in southern Afghanistan had just about finished their tour and were preparing to head home when they became embroiled in a deadly ambush, military officials said Wednesday.
Cpl. Andrew Grenon, Cpl. Mike Seggie and Pte. Chad Horn, all members of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man., died in the insurgent attack on their armoured vehicle in the volatile Zhari district outside Kandahar city.
"It was not an improvised explosive device; it was a direct attack," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, the Canadian task force commander in Afghanistan.
Speaking to reporters, Thompson also used the term "direct fire" but would not elaborate on the nature of the attack around 9:30 a.m.
In general military terms, "direct fire" refers to weapons that can be aimed at a target directly through a sight, such as rifles and tank-mounted guns. There have been published reports of the Taliban having recoilless rifles.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement that suggested it was "an explosion" that "detonated near their armoured vehicle."
"This is attack is worrisome in the kind of sophistication of the attack," Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk said in Banff, Alta. "At the same time we have not done the complete investigation on it."
"We've got great soldiers out there who again will react to this, have a look at it, learn from this and apply those lessons," Natynczyk said.
Thompson said it was not clear whether all the casualties were in the vehicle, leaving open the possibility some of them might have been outside on foot when their patrol came under attack.
Five other soldiers were wounded in the attack. One remains in critical condition, another in serious condition, two in good condition and the last soldier was treated and returned to duty, officials said.
Thompson said the soldiers returned fire with small arms and other weapons, but he didn't know whether the enemy was hit or whether anybody was captured.
The latest deaths bring to 96 the number of Canadian soldiers killed since Canada's mission to Afghanistan began in 2002. A Canadian diplomat also died in the country as did two Canadian aid workers in a recent attack south of Kabul.
Wednesday's attack came during what some thought would be a lull in violence coinciding with the onset on Monday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Thompson, however, said Kandahar Gov. Rahmatullah Raufi never thought for a moment that insurgents would stop. "Gov. Raufi said yesterday not to expect them to let up at all and that they weren't going to respect Ramadan," he said.
The fatal attack came on the two-year anniversary of the start of Operation Medusa, a highly successful Canadian-led operation that sought to clear that very same area of insurgents.
Asked what Wednesday's attack says about progress in the region, Thompson said he didn't know but said it points out that military vehicles are vulnerable to "direct fire."
"We don't own a vehicle that's impervious, nobody owns a vehicle that's impervious and sometimes the insurgents get lucky," he said.
Known to friends as "Drew" or simply "G," the 23-year-old Grenon was admired for his experience - this was Grenon's second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
"He brought confidence to those around him and inspired the first-tour guys, making them feel safe," Thompson said.
Thompson said Seggie came from a long line of "proud Princess Patricia's" as his father and uncle served with the battalion. Considered "cool under fire," the self-deprecating 21-year-old always sought to make his peers laugh, Thompson said.
In a statement issued by his family, Seggie was described as someone who "died doing what he loved." It said he had been based in Shilo for two years, and received a promotion as well as a commendation.
"Mike was very proud of his service and believed in what he was doing."
Just two weeks away from the end of his tour, he was looking forward to seeing his family, particular his nephew whom he often boasted about.
"Mike loved life and lived it to the fullest, there was never a dull moment when Mike was around," his family said, adding Seggie was the proud owner of a 1968 Barracuda and loved showing it off.
The Winnipeg Free Press said Seggie formerly lived in Winnipeg.
Horn, 21, was described as a "very professional and hardworking" young soldier with "unlimited potential."
"Many in his company saw him as the best LAV gunner," Thompson said, referring to the light armoured vehicle used by Canadians. "His ability to act under fire saved many lives during the tour."
A Facebook site dedicated to his memory described him as a happy guy who was always smiling. "My handsome brave man. Know that you will never be forgotten," Darlene Horn wrote on the site.
"We are so proud of you for your bravery and will try to understand, as you did, the sacrifice you made."
"I've been to the hospital and I've spoken to some of those wounded soldiers, and even the wounded - once they evacuated the vehicle - returned fire," Thompson told reporters.
"The brave soldiers killed today were coming to the end of their tour," Thompson said. "It saddens me to think of their loved ones who were expecting them to return home this month."
The mounting casualties come as Canada appeared on the verge of a federal election. Harper and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion promptly issued statements offering their condolences.
Harper called the mission to Afghanistan a "challenging one," but one to which Canada must remain committed in support of the Afghan people who have endured decades of war.
"We will not be deterred by the actions of the Taliban," the prime minister said.
"I join with all Canadians in mourning these three brave and dedicated soldiers. They have made the ultimate sacrifice to bring security, democracy and self-reliance to the people of Afghanistan, all the while protecting Canada's values and security. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Dion offered his condolences to the families Grenon, Seggie and Horn and noted their untimely deaths are a reminder of the "ongoing dangers that our men and women in uniform face every day."
"Their valiant efforts to bring peace and stability to the Afghan people in a place where peril is ever-present is something that Canadians will remember, and will always be proud of," he said.
The latest deaths came just two weeks after three Canadian combat engineers were killed by a roadside bomb in Zhari district.
Sapper Stephen Stock, Cpl. Dustin Wasden and Sgt. Shawn Eades died in a fiery explosion while on patrol along Highway 1.
