At least four children were killed and five others were wounded in an explosion triggered by an improvised explosive device in northern Faryab province.

A spokesman for Faryab Police Abdul Karim Yurish said the incident took place late on Thursday afternoon in the vicinity of Dawlatabad district.

Yurish further added that the children were busy herding their livestock when they struck an improvised explosive device in Chaharshangho Village.

He also added that the IED was planted by Taliban militants to target the security forces.

The anti-government armed militants including Taliban have not commented regarding the incident so far.

Taliban militants frequently use improvised explosive devices as the weapon of their choice to target the security forces but in majority of such attacks ordinary civilians are targeted.