Canadian troops bid farewell to Pte. Sebastien Courcy

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The latest Canadian casualty of the war in Afghanistan is on his way home.

Canadian troops bid farewell to Pte. Sebastien Courcy in a sundown ceremony at the Kandahar Airfield.

The 26-year-old Quebec soldier died Thursday morning when he fell from his position on high ground during a counter-insurgency operation in the dangerous Panjwaii district.

In a tribute to the fallen soldier, Padre Normand Cholette said he was an enthusiastic and meticulous soldier who served as a confidante to his brothers in arms.

Courcy was a member of 2e Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment -- known as the Van Doos -- based at CFB Valcartier outside Quebec City.

His death brings to 125 the number of Canadian military deaths in Afghanistan since their mission began in 2002.

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  Canadian Forces soldiers carry the casket of Pte. Sebastien Courcy during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on Friday July 17, 2009. (Dene Moore / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Pte. Sebastien Courcy was killed on July 16, 2009 while conducting operations in the Panjwayi District. The incident occurred approximately 17 kilometres south-west from Kandahar City at around 6:00 a.m., Kandahar time, on July 16, 2009.