Canadian soldier dies in Afghan roadside explosion

MONTREAL, Oct 7 (Reuters) A Canadian soldier died in Afghanistan today morning from injuries caused by a roadside bomb in the Panjwai region west of Kandahar, the Department of National Defence said.

Department spokesman Ryan Holbein said the fallen soldier's family had requested that his name not be immediately released.

He was the 40th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since late 2001. No other Canadian soldiers were injured in the explosion, which occurred as insurgents attacked a Canadian patrol, Holbein said.

Canada has 2,300 troops in the region as part of the NATO-led forces there.

REUTERS DKB BD2319