Landmine explosion kills nine children in Afghanistan

The landmine detonated in Ghazni province's Geru district while a group of young boys and girls were playing with it, according to Hamidullah Nisar, the provincial head of information and culture.

"An unexploded ordnance from the Soviet invasion era detonated while they were playing," Nisar said. "Tragically, it killed nine children."

Local authorities reported the ages of the deceased children ranged from four to ten years old, with five being girls and four boys.

Afghanistan is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance, including landmines, grenades, and mortars, from various conflicts throughout its history. These include the Soviet invasion in 1979, the subsequent civil war, and the 20-year Taliban insurgency against foreign-backed governments.

While violence has significantly decreased since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, unexploded ordnance continues to claim lives regularly. The International Committee of the Red Cross has identified children as the primary victims of these incidents.

Another child was killed and five others were injured on Sunday in a separate incident involving unexploded ordnance in Herat province, according to local police. (ILKHA)