KABUL, Afghanistan - Two Afghan children were killed and two children were wounded when they were struck by a mine in Faryab province of northern Afghanistan yesterday, according to initial reports.
"This is a tragedy, especially since innocent children were killed and injured" said Major General Mohammad Zahir Azimi, MOD spokesman. "Accidents involving unexploded ordinance or mines planted by the insurgents hurt and kill innocent civilians, and we will continue our efforts to educate civilians about mines and help to prevent these accidents."
According to the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan, more than 45 Afghans were injured or killed each month in 2009 due to mines and explosive remnants of war.
ISAF supports mine-awareness campaigns, including media announcements, to help educate Afghans of the dangers of mines. ISAF has also put up billboards and provided comic books and pamphlets to Afghan officials to disseminate to the population to warn them of the danger.
The wounded children were being treated at a nearby hospital.