GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – One child died and four were injured when an unidentified explosive device detonated near Latif village, Gelan district, Jan. 11.
Five children were gathering hay in the vicinity of a coalition special operations forces camp when one of the children inadvertently detonated an unknown munition.
One child died of wounds, one child sustained a traumatic brain injury, two children sustained puncture wounds and lacerations and one child sustained minor injuries. Three of the injured children, escorted by a Latif village elder, were medically evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment, while the other injured child was treated at the VSP site.
One of the children reported seeing a metallic object on the ground prior to the explosion.
A coalition SOF team member said over a dozen mortar and recoilless rifle rounds had impacted in the area where the children were injured as a result of indiscriminate insurgent fire targeting the camp since last August.