Isolating the Taliban: How young landmine victims may be collateral damage

By Charlotte Greenfield QAFAS KALAY, Afghanistan (Reuters) – A group of Afghan children were grazing sheep in fields near the village of Bolak Wandi in eastern Helmand when they spotted a metallic object half-buried in the ground. Crowding round excitedly, they argued over who had found it first and who could sell it for scrap. The mortar shell exploded, killing one child instantly. Three more children died from their wounds as they were taken to hospital by Taliban fighters who had been nearby. Another passed away on arrival. “I don’t blame anyone,” said Haji Abdul Salam, the father of two of…

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