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Canadian soldier dies in Afghanistan

A Canadian soldier on a joint foot patrol with Afghan soldiers was killed Saturday after stepping on an improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan.
Afghan Cda Death 20100116
Sgt. John Faught

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A Canadian soldier on a joint foot patrol with Afghan soldiers was killed Saturday after stepping on an improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan.

The military identified him as Sgt. John Faught, 44, of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton.

Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard said Faught was affectionately known as “Toast,” because he was “hard and crusty.”

“He could always be counted on to tell it like it is when asked for his opinion,” Menard said in a statement late Saturday.

“He was a very conscientious and thorough section commander who always put the needs of his soldiers above his own.”

Faught was from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

The incident occurred near the town of Nakhoney in the volatile Panjwaii district, about 15 kilometres southwest of Kandahar city.

Faught was on the routine patrol at about 2 p.m. local time when the roadside bomb exploded.

No one else was hurt.

Faught was “very much a father figure” to his younger section members, Menard said.

“He protected them and looked out for them much as a father would.”

A man who answered the phone at Faught’s mother’s house said the family would not be commenting.

Prime Minister Harper expressed “great sorrow” over Faught’s death.

“The courage demonstrated by Sergeant Faught speaks volumes of his dedication to our country and to this mission,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. “He (Faught) gave his life not only to protect Canadians and our national interests, but also to provide hope to Afghans for a better future.”

The latest death brings to 139 Canadian soldiers and two civilians who have been killed in Canada’s eight-year mission in Afghanistan.

The incident was also the third lethal strike against Canadian forces by the insurgents in as many weeks.

Nakhoney, one corner of the so-called Panjwaii triangle and a long-time troublespot for Canadians, has been a hub of insurgent activity.

However, Canadian troops in recent months have made concerted efforts to secure the area.

Lt. Andrew Nuttall, who was killed during a foot patrol last Dec. 23, was among a group of soldiers who had been staying outside Nakhoney as part of the military’s new strategy of having troops live among Afghans.

At the time, senior defence officials were adamant the strategy was having “great success” depite Nuttall’s death.

They said locals had increasingly been approaching troops to point out the dreaded makeshift bombs, a devastatingly effective weapon of choice for the insurgents.

The combined patrol on which Faught was killed was part of Canada’s effort “to protect Afghans from insurgents and to learn more about the people of the village and their needs,” Menard said.

“I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of our great fallen warrior.”

On Dec. 30, four Canadian soldiers — Sgt. George Miok, Sgt. Kirk Taylor, Cpl. Zachery McCormack and Pte. Garrett Chidley — were killed along with Calgary journalist Michelle Lang when their armoured vehicle was blown up on the southern edge of Kandahar city.