Body of fallen soldier, Cpl. Steve Martin, on way back to Canada

Canadian soldiers bid farewell to one of their own at a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield that marked an end to one of the military’s longest stretches without a combat death since deploying to southern Afghanistan.

Pallbearers carried the casket of Cpl. Steve Martin across the moonlit tarmac and loaded it onto a military aircraft as the piper’s skirl pierced the chilly midnight air.

Martin, 24, from 3rd Battalion Royal 22e Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device, or IED, while on foot patrol early Saturday afternoon, local time.

He died two days before his 25th birthday.

The deadly attack occurred near a major road construction project that NATO is pushing in a volatile district of Kandahar.

Martin was serving with Parachute Company of the 1st Battalion Royal 22e Regiment battle group, based at CFB Valcartier, Quebec.

His company deployed to the restive Panjwaii district last month.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the fallen soldier during this difficult time,” said Brig.-Gen. Dean Milner, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

“We will not forget the sacrifice of this soldier as we continue to bring security and hope to the people of Kandahar province.”

Martin arrived for his second tour shortly after burying his grandfather in his hometown of Saint-Cyrille-de-Wendover, about 115 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

“It’s certainly a shock, especially during the holidays,” said the town’s mayor, Daniel Lafond.

“This will be a very difficult holiday for the family.”

Gaston Laterreur, a neighbour of Martin’s parents, said the soldier always seemed happy when he returned for a visit.

“He always had a smile on his face when he walked by,” he said.

“He was a brave man from a very nice family.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a written statement on behalf of all Canadians extending his deepest sympathies to Martin’s family and friends.

“Cpl. Martin was a brave Canadian who made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly serving his country,” the statement said.

“Thanks to Canadian Forces members like him, we continue to make real progress in Afghanistan, rebuilding the country and contributing to the peace and security of its people.”

Governor General David Johnston also issued a statement offering his deepest sympathies to Cpl. Martin’s loved ones.

“Cpl. Martin displayed an admirable sense of duty to Canada, bringing great pride to his unit and to the Forces as a whole,” he wrote.

Johnston added that with Martin’s death he now feels the weight of his new responsibilities as commander-in-chief of Canada’s Armed Forces.

Martin was on patrol near a road that NATO forces are carving in the horn of Panjwaii, an area that until recently was dominated by the Taliban and used as a staging point for attacks toward the provincial capital.