Explosion of War Munitions in Helmand Kills Two Children
The Taliban’s police command in Helmand has announced that the explosion of leftover war explosives in the Qala Sabz village of Khanshin district claimed the lives of two children and injured their mother. The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, May 20, and the victims were a 10-year-old child and a 3-year-old child. According to information provided by local officials, the children had thrown leftover war explosives into a fire, which caused the explosion. Their mother was also injured in the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment. Afghanistan remains one of the countries heavily threatened by mines and unexploded ordnance. Decades of war have contaminated vast areas of the country with explosive remnants, with civilians—especially children—being the most affected victims of this hidden danger. Save the Children has previously warned that millions of people in Afghanistan are at risk due to explosive remnants. Similarly, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported that in 2025, at least 92 people were killed and 375 injured from landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions, with 66 percent of the victims being children. Reports indicate that on average, more than 50 civilians are killed or injured each month across the country due to explosive incidents. Despite several years under Taliban rule, efforts to clear contaminated areas and effectively raise public awareness continue to face serious challenges—a situation that poses the greatest threat to children’s lives.
