The Taliban police command in Badakhshan province has announced that a landmine left over from war exploded in the Zebak district, killing three children and seriously injuring three others.
According to the statement released by the police command, the incident occurred today, Friday (18 April), at around 11:00 AM in the Teezab area of the district.
The mine reportedly detonated while the children were gathering wild vegetables.
According to the command, the victims include two girls and one boy between the ages of 9 and 14, while the injured are three girls aged between 10 and 14.
Unexploded ordnance and landmines remain a deadly threat to civilians in Afghanistan, especially children. Data from the International Committee of the Red Cross shows that in 2024, 564 people — including 434 children — have been killed or injured across Afghanistan due to such explosions.
The Taliban-controlled Disaster Management Authority has stated that approximately 1,150 square kilometers of land in Afghanistan remain contaminated with landmines.
The United Nations has also stressed that 3.3 million people live within one kilometer of areas contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The organization has requested a budget of $21.9 million for mine-clearing programs in the current year. However, the suspension of U.S. financial aid and a decline in other international support have seriously hindered efforts to secure the required funding.
