A tragic incident occurred in the Zazai Aryub district of eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province on Sunday, as a leftover explosive device detonated, claiming the life of one child and injuring five others, a provincial police spokesperson, Munib Zadran, confirmed on Monday.

The children discovered a toy-like object and began playing with it when it exploded, killing one child instantly and leaving five others wounded. Among the injured, three are reported to be in critical condition, Zadran added.

Afghanistan remains one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world, with remnants of past wars continuing to pose a grave threat. Explosive devices and landmines kill or maim dozens of people every month, with children often being the primary victims due to their curiosity.

A report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in October 2024 highlighted the severe impact of these remnants, revealing that 292 people lost their lives to landmines and explosive devices in the first half of the year alone.

Efforts to clear landmines and educate communities about their dangers are ongoing but are often hindered by Afghanistan's challenging security and economic conditions. (ILKHA)