Nine children were killed on Saturday when a mine planted by “terrorists” exploded as they walked to school, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

The blast occurred in Darqad district in the northeastern province of Takhar.

Another child was wounded in the blast, the ministry said.

Darqad has recently witnessed heavy clashes between security forces and the Taliban.

The incident happened at around 9am on Saturday morning when the students were going to school, the statement said.