Mortar Bomb event in Logar, Pul e-Alam area, Afghanistan on Sat 6th July 2024

Local officials in Logar province report that an explosion of a mortar shell in the center of the province has resulted in the deaths of four children and the injury of another.

In a press release issued after the incident on Friday afternoon, the security commander of the Logar province stated that the explosion occurred in Pul-e Alam, the provincial capital.

According to the press release, the children were aged between 7 and 13 years old, and the mortar shell exploded while they were playing with it.

It is noteworthy that  Afghanistan remains heavily contaminated with explosive remnants of war and landmines, which have claimed numerous victims across the country, especially children in various regions.

Previously, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had reported that the majority of victims of explosive incidents and landmines in  Afghanistan were children.

According to UN OCHA reports, nearly 606 square kilometres of land in Afghanistan are contaminated with mines and explosive ordnance, posing a significant threat to the population.

Meanwhile, the incident in Logar province highlights the ongoing dangers posed by explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan, particularly affecting children, who are often the innocent victims of such accidents.

Efforts to mitigate these risks and clear affected areas remain critical to safeguarding civilian lives and promoting peace and stability in the country.