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9 School Children Killed in Afghanistan Land Mine Blast

VOA News

   A land mine explosion in Afghanistan claimed the lives of 9 children
   Saturday as they walked to school, according to police.

   Spokesman Khalil Asir said the mine detonated in the northeastern
   province of Takhar, killing the children, who were nine to 12 years
   old.

   Asir said the Taliban planted anti-personnel mines to clear the area
   but, "Unfortunately, today, one of those mines exploded and killed nine
   primary school students."

   The Taliban, which controls the area and is fighting to oust
   U.S.-backed foreign troops, was not immediately available for comment.

   Saturday's deaths are the latest in a growing number of civilian
   casualties this year, despite U.S.-Taliban talks to reach a peace
   agreement.

   The U.N. said last month a record 4,313 civilians were killed or
   injured between July and September, a more than 40 percent increase
   from the same period last year.

   Of that number, more than 1,000 were fatalities -- making the period
   the most deadly since the U.N. began compiling figures in 2009.