Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered that eight would-be child suicide bombers be sent back to their families.
The group, which contains a 7-year-old, are the youngest among some 20 children who authorities said were detained before conducting suicide attacks across the country.
Karzai, speaking as he marked the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, said the children had been deceived by the Taliban.
"We repeatedly ask the Taliban and those who have guns on their shoulders to put their guns down and join the reconstruction process of their country," he said, "and not force or deceive the children into destroying their country."
Karzai met the eight children last week in Kabul before ordering that they be sent home.
Officials had said the remaining 12 children, all under 18, would be returned to their homes after education and reintegration programs.
Reuters
The group, which contains a 7-year-old, are the youngest among some 20 children who authorities said were detained before conducting suicide attacks across the country.
Karzai, speaking as he marked the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, said the children had been deceived by the Taliban.
"We repeatedly ask the Taliban and those who have guns on their shoulders to put their guns down and join the reconstruction process of their country," he said, "and not force or deceive the children into destroying their country."
Karzai met the eight children last week in Kabul before ordering that they be sent home.
Officials had said the remaining 12 children, all under 18, would be returned to their homes after education and reintegration programs.
Reuters