May 09, 2026 12:15 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Afghanistan: UN condemns attack on de-miners in central region
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan on Tuesday condemned the killing of eight Afghan de-miners and the wounding of another three in an attack in what remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.
“De-miners carry out vital work in Afghanistan – they help make the country safer for their fellow civilians and, as such, any violence which targets them is particularly reprehensible,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš.
According to reports, the de-miners were working for the Mine Detection Centre (MDS), a non-governmental organization and implementing partner of the UN-supported Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA).
They were clearing an area of the Tobakai desert in the Mohammad Agha district of Logar province, in the country’s central region, when anti-Government elements reportedly detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) and then ambushed them.
“Attacks directed against civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law, which parties to armed conflict – including all anti-Government elements – must uphold,” UNAMA stressed.
The UN Mission has extended its condolences to the families of those killed and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
“The widespread and indiscriminate use of mines and munitions during more than 30 years of conflict has led to Afghanistan being one of the most heavily mined countries in the world,” MACCA reported.
According to the Centre’s figures, the country still has over 4,500 areas, covering some 521 square kilometres of land, contaminated with mines and explosive remnants of war, despite progress in de-mining efforts.
(Demining engineer of the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan clears an anti-personnel landmine. UN Photo/UNMACA)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
US to close Peshawar consulate—What’s behind the sudden move?
Wed, May 06 2026
Pakistan: Delayed temple reconstruction prevents Hindu mass festival gatherings in Rawalpindi
Sun, May 03 2026
Health system in crisis? Pakistan's Sindh faces massive staff shortage as diseases spread
Sat, May 02 2026
Shock in New York: Bangladeshi imam arrested over child abuse allegations inside mosque
Sat, May 02 2026
Pakistan's double-game exposed: Islamabad opens up road trade routes into Iran amid Trump's Hormuz blockade
Thu, Apr 30 2026
Buddhist monks on Thailand trip arrested with 110 kg of cannabis at Sri Lanka Airport
Tue, Apr 28 2026
Shocking UN Warning: Taliban-ruled Afghanistan may lose 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030
Tue, Apr 28 2026