A Canadian soldier has been killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

Cpl. Yannick Scherrer, 24, was killed Sunday at about noon local time while on foot patrol with the Afghan National Army near Nakhonay, southwest of Kandahar city, when the IED exploded.

The Montreal native, who was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, was a member of the 1st Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment and based in CFB Valcartier in Quebec.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Cpl. Scherrer's family, and to the soldiers and friends who served alongside him," Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan, said in a statement Monday at Kandahar airfield.

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"Canadians can be proud of the progress our soldiers have accomplished for the people of Kandahar province in Afghanistan. More work remains to be done."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his condolences to the soldier's friends and family.

"The relentless commitment of Cpl. Scherrer and other brave Canadians in Afghanistan is a source of pride to all Canadians," Harper said in a statement. "We will forever be grateful for the sacrifice made by Cpl. Scherrer."

Nakhonay, a battle-scarred village of about 1,000 people, has been the focus of intense counterinsurgency efforts by Canadian troops in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province over the last year.

'Difficult nut'

In the last year here, IEDs killed at least five of the 17 Canadians who died in Afghanistan. Scores more have been wounded.

"Nakhonay is a difficult nut to crack," Maj. Frank Dufault, the deputy commander of Canada's battle group in Afghanistan, said recently.

Scherrer is the first Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since Dec. 18, when Cpl. Steve Martin died from an IED during a foot patrol.

Scherrer is the 155th member of the Canadian Forces to die serving in the Afghanistan mission since 2002.

Four Canadian civilians have also been killed: a diplomat, a journalist and two aid workers.