Local Taliban officials in Nangarhar province have confirmed that an explosion of a leftover mortar shell from past wars has killed three children and injured another in the Khogyani district.
According to Taliban security officials, the tragic incident occurred in the Zawi area of Khogyani district when the children were playing with the unexploded ordnance. This event once again highlights the deadly risks that remnants of war pose to civilians.
Taliban officials added that after the explosion, security forces were dispatched to the scene, and the injured child was transferred to a hospital for treatment. The health condition of the injured child has not yet been specified.
Afghanistan is one of the most contaminated countries in the world with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Decades of war have left vast areas of the country littered with these deadly materials, which claim the lives of hundreds of civilians, particularly children, every year.
Children are the most vulnerable victims of these incidents due to their curiosity and lack of awareness of the dangers. They often mistake these metal objects for toys and play with them, leading to tragedies like the one in Khogyani.
Mine clearance organizations have been working for years to clear these areas in Afghanistan, but the sheer volume of leftover munitions and a lack of resources have presented serious challenges to the process. Following the Taliban's takeover, the activities of some of these organizations have also been restricted.
This sad event is another reminder of the long-term consequences of war, which continue to claim victims among the Afghan people, especially children, even after the guns have fallen silent.
Source: Zarin TV
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