Landmine Kills Ten Girls in Afghanistan

Mines are particularly common near the border with Pakistan

Afghan officials say 10 young girls died in an explosion as they were collecting firewood Monday in eastern Afghanistan.

Authorities say they believe the blast came from an old landmine, one of many that are hidden in fields and rural areas across the country after decades of war. But the area near Pakistan is in a volatile part of Nangarhar province, where Taliban militants are active and could have planted such a device.