Canadian killed in firefight

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This article was published 10/07/2006 (7303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A firefight in the postcard beautiful but treacherous orchards and vineyards that intersect Panjwei and Zharei districts claimed a young Canadian soldier’s life just after dawn yesterday.

A Taliban gunman shot Cpl. Anthony Boneca from the roof of a mud-baked compound used to dry grapes, hitting him just above his bullet-proof vest. The 21-year-old infantryman from Thunder Bay, Ont., described as “good-natured,” was trying to enter the honeycomb structure.

After Boneca’s death, U.S. aircraft — including a remotely controlled Predator, Apache AH-64 attack helicopters and A-10 Warthogs — fired Hellfire missiles and dropped other ordnance on the compound. The insect-like Apaches buzzed the battlefield for about 45 minutes, repeatedly strafing Taliban positions at extremely low altitude.

Howitzers of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery also hit the area with 155-mm shells as coalition forces fought a ferocious battle over several kilometres of irrigated terrain near the Arghandab River.

Boneca was the 17th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since 2002 and the 13th since Canada switched its attention in February from relatively benign Kabul, to the violent Taliban heartland in and around Kandahar City. The last Canadian to be killed in Afghanistan was Capt. Nichola Goddard. A forward artillery observer, she died in a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade attack, on May 17 in Panjwei, a few kilometres from where Boneca died yesterday.

Family members of the fallen reservist gathered yesterday in Thunder Bay.

Boneca’s uncle, William Babe, said in a television interview they are devastated.

“I have so many memories — hundreds of memories — he was just a wonderful boy and a fine young man. Very strong, very honest, really helpful and considerate. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Boneca had been due home in about three weeks from his second tour in Afghanistan.

Babe said his nephew had vowed not to return to Afghanistan, telling his family he was looking forward to his homecoming.

Boneca wasn’t married but had a girlfriend whom he had been seeing for more than a year. He had previously done tours that included guard duty in the United Arab Emirates.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement, sending his condolences to the soldier’s family, friends and comrades.

“Our prayers are with the loved ones of Cpl. Boneca in these difficult times and we stand proudly as a nation knowing that his sacrifice was not in vain; that he laid down his life for the safety of citizens in both Canada and Afghanistan,” Harper said.

Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, the Canadian commander of the multinational brigade responsible for southern Afghanistan, expressed deep regret at the “tragic loss” of Boneca’s life in the village of Pashmol.

The corporal was “doing great work out there,” the general said, adding that he was “a team member” and that there is no difference in Afghanistan between Canadian reservists, regular force members and civilians.

“Reservists are mixed in with everything in our battle group so everyone knows that this sort of thing can happen,” said Bombardier Bill Hill, a 26-year-old reservist.

— CanWest News Service