Two Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Two Canadian soldiers were killed and five others were injured in southern Afghanistan, Canada's Department of National Defense confirmed on Tuesday.

The soldiers were killed when the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops operating in the Panjwayi area, 20 km west of Kandahar, were attacked by mortars, rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire, a press release from the defense ministry said.

They were the 38th and 39th Canadian soldiers to die in Afghanistan since 2002.

The attack occurred at approximately 4:50 p.m. Kandahar time, as ISAF forces were working to clear a route of mines and improvised explosive devices, for a future road construction project.

A number of ISAF soldiers, including Canadians, suffered injuries in the attack.

All of the injured Canadian soldiers have non-life threatening injuries. They are being treated at the Canadian-led multinational hospital at the Kandahar Airfield.

Source: Xinhua