Canadian Soldier Killed In Kabul Identified As Col. Geoff Parker

Just days after Pte. Kevin McKay was killed in Afghanistan, another Canadian soldier lost his life in a suicide car bombing targeting a NATO convoy Tuesday. 

Col. Geoff Parker, 42, is the highest-ranking member of the Canadian Forces to die in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002

A Taliban suicide bomber attacked the convoy in Kabul, killing Parker, five American troops and 12 Afghan civilians – many were travelling on a busy public bus. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said children were among those killed.

Nearly 50 others were also injured in the blast.

“All I can say is, it’s a waste,” neighbour Bill Darlington said.

“My wife talked to his mother on the phone. She said that something awful had happened and she would call us tomorrow or the next day.”

Tuesday’s deadly blast marked the first major attack in the Afghan capital since February when suicide bombers hit two small hotels, killing 16 people. This latest attack happened despite efforts by local authorities to ramp up security in the Kabul.

“Canada strongly condemns the suicide bomb attack that took place this morning. Our sympathies are extended to the family of the fallen soldier,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon said.

“As a battalion commander, he led from the front, and he led with distinction,” Col. Simon Hetherington said.

“He was always standing by, ready to be a friend. He knew when to tell you the hard truth you needed to hear to get you going, or when to lend a sympathetic ear. Geoff was also a very compassionate man. He cared about people and you saw that in him,” Hetherington continued.

Parker leaves behind his wife MJ and their two children, Charlie and Alexandria.

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