Prime Minister Stephen Harper has offered his condolences to the families of two Canadian soldiers killed on Tuesday in southern Afghanistan.

Sgt. Craig Paul Gillam and Cpl. Robert Thomas James Mitchell were killed while they were providing security for a road construction project 20 kilometres west of Kandahar City at about 4:50 p.m. A handful of insurgents attacked them and injured five other soldiers.

Cpl. Robert Thomas James Mitchell.
(DND)

Gillam and Mitchell were the 38th and 39th soldiers to die in Afghanistan since Canada first sent troops to the troubled Asian country in early 2002.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Harper said Gillam and Mitchell died while serving their country and Canadians should be thankful for their efforts. Both men were members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based in Petawawa, Ont.

"Canada is forever grateful to these brave men who put their lives on the line and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of promoting peace, stability and security in Afghanistan," Harper said in a statement released late Tuesday.

Sgt. Craig Paul Gillam.
(DND)

Gillam was a native of South Branch, a small community in the Codroy Valley on Newfoundland's west coast, while Mitchell lived in the Niagara Falls area, but grew up partly in Owen Sound, Ont.

"Sgt. Gillam and Cpl. Mitchell came under attack as they worked to remove mines and other improvised explosive devices for a future road construction project. All Canadians should be proud of this country's efforts to help the Afghan people rebuild their country. We will not be deterred by ruthless attacks by insurgents and terrorists," Harper said.

"The legacies of our fallen soldiers will be carried on by the men and women in uniform who remain steadfast in their service to our country and to this mission to ensure Afghanistan becomes a truly free and democratic society."

Mitchell was remembered as a loving father of three who believed in the cause for which he was fighting. He leaves his wife Leanne and their young children, ages 5, three and two.

Gary Hass, his father-in-law, said from Fort Erie that Mitchell was dedicated to his family and his military career, he was proud of his work in helping to rebuild Afghanistan and felt he was working for a good cause.

Mitchell attended high school in Owen Sound, where his parents still live, and graduated from Niagara College.

"We can only take things one day at a time," Hass said Tuesday.

None of the five injured have life-threatening injuries, but one will be sent back home to Canada because he suffered broken bones. Two are said to be in serious but stable condition. They were all taken to Kandahar airfield, the main coalition base, for medical treatment.

Col. Fred Lewis, deputy commander of the Canadian contingent, said Gillam and Mitchell were members of a surveillance troop, a reconnaissance squadron. "They were conducting vehicle checkpoints and observation posts at the time."

The insurgents were armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. The attack occurred in the Panjwaii district, which had largely been cleared of Taliban insurgents in recent weeks as part of Operation Medusa, a NATO operation led by Canadian troops which officials said killed hundreds of Taliban.

Lewis said an investigation will be conducted into the attack on Wednesday. It occurred exactly one month after the launch of Operation Medusa.

Canada has more than 2,000 troops in Afghanistan, most operating in Kandahar province.

With files from the Canadian Press