Armed with new evidence two Canadian soldiers killed on patrol near Kabul, Afghanistan were victims of a targeted attack, Canada's troops in Afghanistan will soon take delivery of another 15 armoured vehicles.

Major-General Andrew Leslie, the top Canadian soldier in Afghanistan, says he expects to receive four Bison transport vehicles and 11 LAV-3's, (light armoured vehicles) within a fortnight.

According to Leslie, the new vehicles will address what he calls a new and growing threat, especially south of Kabul where Taliban and al Qaeda are edging ever closer.

"We have come to the conclusion that we need more capability to give us more flexibility," Leslie said in an interview.

"We are getting concerned that as the winter snows start to approach, it may be easier for someone to scamper out of hiding and place a mine on a snow-covered track."

The armoured vehicles will be used to patrol mountainous and rural terrain similar to that in which two Canadians -- riding in a lightweight Iltis vehicle -- were killed in a blast involving up to three landmines on Oct. 2.

In an interview Thursday, Leslie revealed that a mine transportation case and a shipping plug removed to arm a mine had been discovered at the blast site. In close proximity to the crater, and apparently left just recently, Leslie said the evidence points to a deliberate attack.

"This is a relatively new departure," Leslie said. "The risk level has gone up."

He added that the signs point to a "Taliban resurgence."

"Over the last month, we've had more attacks... than in the last year.

"The persons that they're targeting are coalition forces, ISAF forces, aid workers, human-rights workers and, for goodness' sakes, even those who are trying to bring fresh water to children who would die without it."

It will take about two weeks for the 17-tonne, eight-wheeled Bisons armoured vehicles to get to Kabul. That means they should be in operation by mid-November, Leslie said.

They are being flown over from CFB Petawawa, west of Ottawa, and CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick.

Last week Lt.-Col. Don Denne, the officer commanding the Canadian battle group patrolling Afghanistan's capital city submitted a request for more resources to protect the close to 700 frontline troops in the area.

The battle group based in southwest Kabul received armoured vehicles from several other Canadian units Saturday, including the headquarters unit based with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, as well as administrative units -- the National Command Element and the National Support Element.

Most were Bisons, which carry a heavy machine-gun and have an open central hatch that allows troops to stand up and move around, affording good visibility. They also have a V-shaped hull that can deflect mine blasts.

When the vehicles are delivered, it will bring to 65 the total of Canadian armoured transport in Afghanistan.

The Iltis vehicles -- in which Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger were killed and three other Canadian paratroopers were wounded -- will continue to be used within Kabul and other low-risk areas.

Short and Beerenfenger were the first Kabul security force casualties since four Germans were killed and 29 wounded in a bus attack last June.

A board of inquiry is expected to file a report on the incident in early November.

With a report from the Canadian Press