Unexploded Rocket Shell Kills Two Children in Afghanistan’s Ghor Province

Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
In the latest tragedy caused by unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Afghanistan, two young nomadic children were killed and another injured after a leftover rocket shell exploded in Ghor province. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 1, in the Bandbain area of Firozkoh, the capital of Ghor.

Details of the Incident
Abdul Rahman Badri, spokesperson for the provincial police, stated that the children were tending to livestock when they came across the unexploded rocket shell. “These children were from Kuchi families,” said Badri. “The explosion happened when they tried to move the shell, a remnant from earlier wars.”

The Threat of Unexploded Ordnance
Ghor, like many provinces in Afghanistan, remains heavily contaminated with deadly remnants of war. Explosives from the Soviet invasion, civil war, and more recent conflicts involving NATO forces are scattered across rural landscapes and mountain regions. Children, in particular, face high risk due to lack of awareness and exposure during daily activities like herding or playing.

Slow Progress in Demining
Local officials and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Despite clearance efforts by organizations such as the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and HALO Trust, progress is slow, and remote areas like Ghor often receive limited coverage.

Afghanistan is considered one of the most UXO-affected countries in the world. Nomadic groups like the Kuchis, who move with their livestock across various terrains, are disproportionately exposed to leftover explosives. In many cases, victims are unaware of the risks until it’s too late.

Calls for Action
Tuesday’s incident underscores the urgent need for increased mine and UXO clearance operations, especially in remote provinces. It also highlights the importance of community education and awareness campaigns to prevent further tragedies among vulnerable populations.

International and local authorities are being urged to prioritize high-risk zones and expand support for victims and affected families. Without greater investment in demining and rural safety programs, Afghanistan’s youngest generation will remain at risk from the wars of the past.