Two coalition service members – including one Canadian – die in two separate attacks in Afghanistan

(Eds: Adds confirmation of Canadian casualty.)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) — Two coalition service members, including one Canadian, were killed in two separate attacks in eastern and southern Afghanistan on Monday, officials said.

Trooper Larry John Zuidema Rudd of the Canadian Army was killed during a routine security operation in the Panjwa’i District of Kandahar City, in Kandahar Province. Both NATO and the Canadian Army confirmed that Rudd died in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion.

Rudd, who was 26, was from the Royal Canadian Dragoons, serving with 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario.

“All members of Task Force Kandahar are thinking of the family and friends of the fallen soldier during this difficult time,” a military statement read. “We will not forget this soldier’s sacrifice as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar Province.”

Also on Monday, in a second attack, a coalition service member was killed as a result of a small-arms attack. His nationality was not immediately released.

The fatalities raise the number of coalition service members killed in Afghanistan so far this year to 206, according to a BNO News count based on official data. At least 129 of those were from the United States, while 41 others were from the United Kingdom.

Rudd was the seventh Canadian to die in Afghanistan so far this year, only days after a suicide bomber killed 42-year-old Canadian Colonel Geoff Parker in Kabul. The attack also claimed the lives of five American soldiers, and scores of civilians.

Improvised explosive devices continue to be a grave threat to coalition troops in Afghanistan. The majority of those killed this year have died in such attacks.

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