Another Canadian soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, making July the deadliest month ever for coalition troops in the country.
Pte. Sebastien Courcy died Thursday during a counterinsurgency mission in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.
Reporting from the Canadian base at Kandahar, Dene Moore of the Canadian Press told CTV News Channel the circumstances surrounding Courcy's death were unusual.
"He fell from his position, it was a high position on a cliff. He fell and was killed," Moore said, "there were no other soldiers injured."
It is not clear whether Courcy was involved in a firefight at the time.
Courcy, 26, was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment, also known as the Van Doos.
Courcy was described as a "fine soldier" by his commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.
"Sebastien gave his life for Canada. Such is the price soldiers must sometimes pay to honour their obligation to their country and to the missions set before them," Vance said during a news conference.
Vance said Courcy arrived in Afghanistan in April.
"Rest in peace Sebastien. We will remember you," Vance said in a traditional farewell to a fallen soldier.
Courcy is survived by his mother, Ginette, and his sister Julie.
His death brings to 125 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.
It also makes July the deadliest month on record for coalition forces in Afghanistan since the war began 8 years ago.
There have been at least 47 deaths among NATO nations this month, including five Canadian deaths.
Cpl. Nick Bulger was killed July 3 by a roadside bomb, Master Cpl. Pat Audet and Cpl. Martin Joannette were killed July 6 in a helicopter crash, and Master Cpl. Charles-Phillippe Michaud died July 4 from injuries suffered during a foot patrol in June.
Audet's funeral was held today at CFB Valcartier, where he served as a member of 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
With files from The Canadian Press
