KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban’s police command in Kunar has announced that two children were injured as a result of an explosion caused by unexploded ordnance in Shigal district.
Farid Dehqan, spokesperson for the Taliban’s police command in Kunar, said that the explosion occurred yesterday (Saturday, March 21) in the “Gargo” area of Shigal district.
He added that the injured children are currently receiving treatment, but described their condition as critical.
Explosions caused by leftover munitions and landmines from past conflicts have repeatedly claimed the lives of civilians, especially children, in various provinces of Afghanistan.
Decades of war have left parts of Afghanistan contaminated with landmines and explosive materials.
According to United Nations statistics, approximately 3.3 million people in Afghanistan live within one kilometer of areas contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Afghanistan ranks third globally for the highest casualties caused by mines and explosive remnants of war.
Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, now under Taliban control, reported that in the past year, 87 people died and 33 were injured due to landmine and explosive incidents, with the majority of victims being children.
According to UN estimates, more than six million people in Afghanistan are exposed to the risk of landmines and unexploded munitions, with children accounting for the majority of casualties.
The UN Secretary General has repeatedly warned that unexploded ordnance remains a major humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan and has called for increased funding for mine clearance and risk education to prevent further civilian casualties.
