The Taliban’s Disaster Management Preparedness Authority has announced that 901 square kilometres of Afghanistan’s territory are contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
A spokesperson for the Taliban authority told the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan National Radio and Television (RTA) that explosions of these munitions kill and injure many citizens every year.
This comes as the Taliban used various types of explosive ordnance during the war, before retaking control of Afghanistan, to destroy roads and target the military forces of the former government.
The extensive military activities of the Taliban in previous years and their use of various types of explosive ordnance have resulted in remnants of these munitions being scattered across different parts of Afghanistan.
Despite efforts by international organisations to clear contaminated areas, these munitions continue to threaten the lives of citizens, particularly children, and claim victims.
According to United Nations reports, Afghanistan is among the countries with high casualty rates caused by unexploded ordnance.
