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| Afghanistan |
| Ontario colonel among those killed in Kabul attack |
| 2010-05-19 |
| Col. Geoff Parker, 42, died Tuesday when a car bomber attacked a NATO convoy, killing 18 people, including five U.S. soldiers and 12 civilians on a nearby public bus in rush-hour traffic. Parker had been with the Canadian Forces for 21 years. He is thought to be the highest-ranking member of the Canadian Forces to die in Afghanistan. He also died in the deadliest attack NATO troops have suffered in Kabul this year. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said "there were casualties among the NATO forces as well as among civilians -- women, children and schoolchildren." The deadly blast wrecked nearly 20 vehicles, including five SUVs in the NATO convoy. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid claimed in a telephone interview with The Associated Press that the bomber was from Kabul and carried 750 kilograms of explosives in his car. The bomber had been deliberately targeting the NATO convoy, Mujahid said. Parker was commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, RCR, based at CFB Gagetown. He was in Kabul to interact with international organizations to prepare his team for their upcoming mission. |
| Posted by:Skunky Glins**** |