“Toy bombs” continue to wound and kill Children from the vulnerable low-income families of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA. Hundreds of Children have perished while bringing back home ‘toy bombs’. Their numbers are not exactly known but there are only estimates. In the years when the Taliban had considerable influence these bombs were fitted into cricket bats, makeup kits others were shaped like butterflies. 12-year-old Zubair from Peshawar was killed and 5 of similar ages were injured but survived. In an interview, his friend Junaid said: What happened on that day? A: we were playing , I found a grenade I passed it on to my friends . out of curiosity they wanted to find out what was inside the grenade. As they started hitting it, it exploded. Q: What was the grenade like? was it like a ball? A: “it was as long as my palm” Q: what did yoU all think the (grenade ) to be ? A:we thought we would break and open it Q: did you all think was it ? A: we thought it was some kind of toy. we were playing we saw a grenade lying on the ground. My brother handed it over to me I threw it away. One of our friend went for it and wanted to break it open ,as he started hitting it the grenade exploded, almost seven people got injured. Police believe that these bombs are usually remnants of the soviet war and recent Talibanization. Which are brought along with the flood waters from the tribal areas. Chidren are usually unaware Fida Muhammad, whose kids were injured was also interviewed by Naya Daur team. Q: could you please tell us what happened ? A: I am taxi driver. I came back home, was offering my prayers. My children were herding the sheep and playing with each other. They found something on the ground and thought it was a toy. Each of them decided to sell it for themselves. My elder son who is fourteen years old struck it against the wall. It blasted injuring all the kids. My son’s hands and feet got severely injured. When I reached there looking at all those children including my son I lost my senses. Later, when I inquired I came to the conclusion that they found this grenade near an old grave , taking it for being a toy. Q: Would you suggest any precautions? Do you have any message for other parents and children ? A: I would suggest that parents be vigilant about their children in order to avoid such situations. We need to clean up KP and Pakistan of such bombs and all landmines that have been harming Pakistanis for years now.

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