Suicide attack kills 4 in Afghanistan

updated 10:10 p.m. ET April 4, 2008

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A roadside bomb killed a Canadian soldier in southern Afghanistan Friday, while a suicide attack in the same region left three policemen and a civilian dead, officials said.

Canadian Pvt. Terry John Street, 24, of Hull, Quebec, died as the explosive detonated near his vehicle, said Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, the commander of Canadian forces in Afghanistan.

The blast that killed Street — the 82nd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan — took place in the volatile Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city, long a hotbed of Taliban activity.

Laroche said Canada's presence in Afghanistan is bringing hope to its people.

"This is why our brave men and women accept the risk of this mission," he said. "I can only hope these thoughts will be of some comfort to the family and friends of Pvt. Street."

In the suicide attack, a bomber blew himself up near a police vehicle on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, said provincial police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal. In addition to the four deaths, seven civilians and another policeman were wounded.

Helmand is the biggest opium poppy-producing region in the world and has seen some of the heaviest fighting between international troops and insurgents.

In eastern Kunar province, a truck supplying fuel to NATO troops hit a roadside bomb that killed the Afghan driver Thursday, said a statement from NATO's International Security Assistance Force. No NATO service members were hurt in the attack.

More from msnbc.com World Blog: Anger and hatred on Urumqi streets Local governments face painful budget choices Family turns to Facebook in hunt for missing son World Blog: Ghana gets set for Obama’s visit  No-kill shelter nation? Maybe in 5 years  Irresistible! 9 gadgets we covet

MORE FROM SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA

South & Central Asia Section Front

Sex clause cut from Afghan marriage law 2 million Pakistanis to return home soon Blasts kill 25 Afghans, 2 NATO troops Karzai pardons five heroin traffickers Newsweek: The problem with Pakistan drone attacks South & Central Asia Section Front   Add South & Central Asia headlines to your news reader: