About 2,400 soldiers from throughout the NATO forces paid tribute to Trooper Karine Blais in a ramp ceremony Tuesday, as the Canadian's body was carried aboard a waiting aircraft at Kandahar Airfield.

Blais, 21, is only the second Canadian woman to die in combat since the Afghan mission began.

She was killed Monday when the armoured vehicle she was travelling in rolled over an improvised explosive device. Four others were wounded by the blast, which occurred in the Shah Wali Khot district, north of Kandahar city.

Blais was with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group -- the famed Quebec regiment nicknamed the Van Doos -- based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.

Lt.-Col. Jocelyn Paul of the Royal 22nd said the explosion happened on a secondary road that was recently patrolled.

In a statement released Tuesday morning in Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance described Blais as an energetic soldier who gave "100 per cent to every challenge she faced."

Vance said Blais demonstrated qualities of a future leader, adding she had a "unique sense of humour" and that she was respected by all members of her squadron.

"This young woman's life did not go to waste," said Vance. "Her life was lost in the pursuit of peace and stability."

The injured soldiers were airlifted to a military hospital at Kandahar airfield. Two of the soldiers were being treated by medical personnel and two have been released. The wounded soldiers have not been identified.

Paul said the four injured soldiers are "doing well" but that their injuries are serious.

Later Tuesday, Blais death was on the minds of all soldiers at a ceremony marking her regiment's succession as the lead battle group in Afghanistan.

The Royal 22nd succeeds the 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment of Petawawa, Ont.

Lt.-Col. Roger Barrett, commanding officer of 3 RCR Battle Group, said Tuesday that the morale of soldiers has not been affected despite the Canadian causalities.

"There is a time to grieve and that time happens when a tragedy happens," Barrett told reporters in Kandahar Tuesday.

"After that, we must stiffen our resolve, we must move forward with increased determination to get the job done."

Reaction

In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday that Canadians are extremely proud of Blais and her honourable service.

"It is with utmost sorrow that I extend my condolences, and those of all Canadians, to the family and loved ones of Trooper Karine Blais...," Harper said.

"I also hope for the quick and full recovery of the four other Canadian soldiers injured in the attack."

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of Blais' death.

"Our soldiers risk their lives answering the call of duty by working shoulder to shoulder with a people who for decades have been left idle and subjected to terror, intimidation, insecurity and barbarous confrontations on a daily basis," Jean said Tuesday in statement.

Blais leaves behind her mother Josee, her grandmother Laurette and her brother, Billy. The family released a statement Tuesday, in which they said they supported her work in the military.

"Despite the terrible news of her sudden passing, Karine achieved her challenge. She wanted to be part of this adventure. She was proud to serve in Afghanistan. She often asked her mother: 'Mom, are you proud of me?'" said the family.

"Yes, we remain proud of you, despite our sadness."

But before that statement, Blais' godfather criticized the Afghanistan mission and said it's time for Canada to pull out of the country.

"I am against it. I was against it and I am even more against it today. I wonder what we're doing there," Blais told CTV News.

"I knew the Russians couldn't win over there so I don't think the Canadian army could win over there. I was more in favour of the blue helmets, peacekeeping missions, not front-line missions."

Mario Blais said his goddaughter was living with a man, also in the army, and that the two planned to buy a house together.

Capt. Nichola Goddard of the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery was the first Canadian female to die in the mission. Goddard was killed in a grenade attack in the Panjwaii district, west of Kandahar city, on May 17, 2006.

Canada has lost 117 military personnel in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. Of that number, the majority have died from roadside bomb blasts.

With files from The Canadian Press