A Canadian soldier has died in a non-combat-related incident, the military said.

The soldier was found dead early Saturday at a forward operating base located in Kandahar city. News of the death came late Saturday night local time in a short statement from the Canadian headquarters at Kandahar Airfield.

The family has been notified and has asked that the name of the soldier be temporarily withheld.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement Saturday afternoon.

"I would like to offer my sincerest condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the families, friends and colleagues of this soldier who died today in Afghanistan," said Harper.

"This soldier ... was helping to bring back hope to a population that has seen much hardship and turmoil, and his service will not be forgotten. The soldier will be missed by the Canadian Forces family, his community and Canadians everywhere. We are all saddened by this loss."

The military said the death was not the result of enemy fire. Military police are investigating, but they have already determined the death is not criminal, the CBC's James Cudmore reported from Kandahar.

The military has not released the name of the soldier's unit, but CBC News has learned it's likely the soldier was a member a special forces regiment frequently operating out of a location inside Kandahar city.

The majority of Canada's nearly 3,000-strong force in Afghanistan is based elsewhere in Kandahar province.

The latest death brings the total number of Canadian soldiers killed since the start of Canada's mission in Afghanistan to 157. Two civilians have also died since the mission began in 2002.