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87 Killed, 333 Injured by Unexploded Bombs in Afghanistan Last Year

Over the past year, unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan killed 87 people and injured 333 others in 193 separate incidents. Shockingly, 67.5% of these victims were children, highlighting the severe impact on the most vulnerable. Despite demining teams clearing 58 kilometers of land and neutralizing thousands of mines, approximately 105,000 square kilometers remain contaminated. The UN ranks Afghanistan third globally for landmine casualties and calls for increased support for clearance and public awareness programs.

Key Points: Afghanistan Unexploded Ordnance Kills 87, Injures 333

  • 87 killed in past year
  • 333 injured in 193 incidents
  • 67.5% of victims are children
  • 105,000 sq km land still contaminated
2 min read

87 killed, 333 injured in unexploded ordnance incidents in Afghanistan over past year

87 killed, 333 injured in Afghan UXO incidents last year. 67.5% of victims were children. 105,000 sq km of land remains contaminated.

"67.5 per cent of the victims were children - Hafiz Mohammad Yousof Hamad"

Kabul, Feb 4

At least 87 people were killed and 333 others injured in 193 incidents involving unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan over the past year, the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said on Wednesday, the local media reported.

ANDMA Information Department Head Hafiz Mohammad Yousof Hamad said that the Mine Clearance Coordination Department and demining organisations cleared 58 kilometres of land of unexploded ordnance in 2025 and found and neutralised 24,720 mines, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

Hamad mentioned that 67.5 per cent of the victims were children, showcasing the severe impact of unexploded ordnance on youngest and most vulnerable population of Afghanistan. He further said that 155 demining teams are conducting work in Afghanistan. During the past year, these teams provided awareness training to over 2.1 million people in Afghanistan.

Despite these efforts, around 105,000 square kilometres of land in Afghanistan continues to remain contaminated with unexploded ordnance, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

On Tuesday, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that Afghanistan has been ranked third globally for casualties caused by landmines and unexploded war remnants.

UNAMA stated that nearly 80 per cent of the victims are children, who get often injured or killed while playing or unknowingly touching an unexploded ordnance. The UNAMA demanded increased financial support for demining organisations working to clear mines and aware people about explosive risks, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

According to UNAMA, clearance teams function every day to remove explosive remnants while awareness campaigns are launched to reduce exposure of people to deadly materials. The UN mission has advised people in Afghanistan to not touch suspicious material and instead report them to authorities to stop further casualties.

Afghanistan has been contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnances due to decades of conflict, which continue to pose a threat to lives of people.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Decades of conflict leave behind such a deadly legacy. It's a stark reminder of the real cost of war, paid by innocent civilians long after the fighting stops. The demining teams are doing heroic work in such dangerous conditions. 🙏
A
Aman W
105,000 square kilometres still contaminated... that's a mind-boggling area. Clearing 58 km in a year shows the scale of the challenge. The awareness training for 2.1 million people is crucial. Hope the kids there get to play safely someday.
S
Sarah B
While the focus is rightly on Afghanistan, we in India also have areas with landmine risks, especially near borders. Our forces work tirelessly to secure those zones. This news puts our own security challenges into perspective. Stay safe, everyone.
V
Vikram M
The numbers are devastating. As a parent, I can't imagine the fear. The UN and other orgs need to do more than just issue statements. Concrete aid and technology transfer for faster clearance is needed. Where is the global solidarity?
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: While reporting these tragic figures is important, media should also consistently highlight the organizations doing the demining work and how common citizens globally can contribute. Sustained coverage drives sustained help.
N
Nisha Z
This is why lasting peace is

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