The head of the Taliban’s Department of Disaster Management in Paktia Province has announced that two children were killed after an unexploded landmine detonated in the Rohani Baba district. According to the official, both victims were 14 years old and belonged to the same family.
Nisar Ahmad Nejat, head of the department, urged residents to report any landmines, unexploded ordnance, or suspicious objects to the relevant authorities in order to prevent further casualties.
According to United Nations statistics, approximately 3.3 million people in Afghanistan live near areas contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war. The detonation of munitions left behind from decades of conflict remains one of the leading causes of civilian casualties, particularly among children.
The human rights organization Rawadari has also reported that at least 79 people were killed and 85 others injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance in 2025. According to the organization, 43 of the victims were children, highlighting the particular vulnerability of children to these hazards.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Hamad, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Natural Disaster Management Authority, stated that 225 incidents involving landmines and unexploded ordnance were recorded across Afghanistan between April 2025 and March 2026.
He added that these incidents resulted in a total of 96 deaths and 378 injuries, once again underscoring the widespread danger posed by explosive remnants of war throughout the country.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
