Roadside mines and improvised explosive devices have caused the most civilian casualties in the last 20 years. The Taliban mostly use these mines to defeat the Afghan forces on the ground. In most cases, it has been seen that the placement of improvised explosive devices in the villages of the country has caused more civilian casualties. Even in the days leading up to Eid, the Taliban have been seen using these mines has harmed civilians and caused civilian casualties.

Local officials in Herat are now reporting that three Taliban fighters have been killed in a landmine explosion as these fighters were willing to place IED for protecting their areas against Afghan forces in the eastern province of Herat. Herat’s local sources emphasize that the blast occurred when Taliban fighters were trying to organize landmines by targeting the country’s security and defense forces.

According to a newsletter from the Herat governor’s press office, three Taliban were killed in a roadside bomb blast while these fighters were trying to plant a roadside mine to target the Afghan security and defense forces in the province. The incident has taken place this Monday morning (5/17/2021) in the village of Galeh Tut in the Adraskan district of Herat.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the incident. Recently, military and civilian casualties have been exacerbated by Taliban-planted landmines and IEDs.

In some cases, Taliban insurgents also suffer casualties while building or laying roadside bombs. But it remains to be seen whether roadside mines will end after holding a severe round of intra-Afghan peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

In the current situation, human rights organizations have expressed concern over the use of roadside mines and called on all parties to the conflict, especially on the Taliban, to be aware of civilian casualties during military operations. A recent UN annual report identified the Taliban as the leading cause of civilian casualties, but the group blamed the report on its intentionality and responsible. However, they have always said that Afghan security and defense forces are the main reason for the increase of civilian casualties all over the country.