KABUL, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Three children lost their lives and four others were injured after a cross-border artillery strike hit Kunar province, situated along Afghanistan's eastern frontier, a local official confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Ziauraham Speen Ghar, head of information and culture in Kunar, the incident took place in Khas Kunar district. A mortar shell fired from across the border struck a residential house, resulting in the deaths.
Over the past few days, several residential areas in different parts of the province have reportedly come under shelling, leading to civilian casualties and heightened concern among local residents, he said.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over reports that children have been killed and injured in recent clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
UNICEF called on all parties to exercise restraint, ensure the protection of civilians, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. ■