Bomb explodes among children playing in Afghanistan, 2 killed

At least two Afghani children were killed and eight others were wounded in a bombing in Herat province Thursday, the Afghan Interior Ministry reported.

The ministry said the bomb was planted by the Taliban and exploded among children playing outside at about 8:30 a.m. in the Gulran district of Herat.

The deaths came as a report was issued by the United Nations showing that the number of children killed or injured in the Afghanistan conflict in 2013 increased 30% compared with the previous year. At least 545 children were killed and 1,149 injured in Afghanistan in 2013, the report said.

The majority of casualties among children were caused by improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance and land mines.

“We are deeply concerned about the significant increase in child casualties and the devastating impact that the conflict continues to have on children’s safety, health and education in Afghanistan”, said Akhil Lyer, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan.

Also on Thursday, three rockets struck near the Kabul airport at around noon but caused no injuries.

“Three rockets have landed on the military side of the Kabul International Airport from an undisclosed location and part of the area where the rockets landed has caught fire,” said Hashmat Stanikzai, spokesman for the Kabul police.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, in an email to journalists, claimed responsibility for the airport attack.

Baktash is a special correspondent.