KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Violence ripped through southern Afghanistan Sunday leaving a Canadian soldier dead in a bomb blast in the countryside shortly before a pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up inside police headquarters in Kandahar city.

Sgt. Scott Shipway became the 97th soldier to die on Canada's mission to Afghanistan when his armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Panjwaii district around 12:30 p.m.

The separate suicide attack at police headquarters killed at least four Afghan police officers and wounded about 31 people.

It all happened on the day Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a federal election would be held on Oct. 14 in Canada.

Military officials in Kandahar made no remarks linking the wave of violence to the election call, but the mounting toll in Afghanistan and the future of Canada's mission are poised to become hot election topics.

In addition to the 97 military deaths, a senior Canadian diplomat also died in Afghanistan on Canada's mission to the country. Two Canadian aid workers were recently killed by insurgents while working for a New York-based humanitarian organization.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay was asked recently whether he thought the Taliban would step up attacks to influence the election outcome. He said the Tories have taken it into consideration.

"The war and the Taliban are not going to take a break if we have an election in Canada," MacKay said. "As for election issues, come what may - we'll be ready."

Shipway was airlifted by helicopter to the multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead Sunday. He was the 11th Canadian soldier killed this year by an improvised explosive device, or IED.

Seven other soldiers were wounded in the explosion but were all able to notify their loved ones personally.

"We are all deeply affected by the loss of our friend and colleague Scott," said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, the top Canadian commander in Afghanistan.

"However, during these sad moments, we also recognize the even greater sorrow is that that his family is going through."

Shipway was less than a week away from the end of his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He was as an infantryman with the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. He previously served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Cyprus, and this was his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

In 2006, he was cited for his quick reaction during another roadside bomb attack.

"At that time, he disregarded the danger to himself, secured the area of the blast and began treating casualties, including one who had lost both his legs," Thompson said.