KABUL - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has voiced concerns about the use of child soldiers by insurgent groups in Afghanistan.

The UN office has called on all parties to the conflict to avoid using children in their battles.

These statements came after TOLOnews received footage showing alleged child soldiers arrested by security forces in north-eastern Badakhshan recently.

"Involving children in the conflict, no matter by any group, is cause for concern," UNICEF press officer Sayed Maroof Hamdard said.

The acting governor of Badakhshan, Shah Waliullah Adeeb, confirmed that child soldiers are being used by Taliban in the province.

"Unfortunately, Taliban use children as their soldiers and bring them to fight," Adeeb said.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) meanwhile admitted to the existence of child soldiers, saying Taliban bring these children from Madrassas to the battle field.

"Taliban are recruiting children in Kunar, Nangarhar and Kunduz provinces," MoI spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said, adding that these children are being deceived by the Taliban in Madrassas.

The use of children as "soldiers" is globally denounced and is considered a war crime.

This comes after a number of Afghan and international human rights organizations accused the Taliban of having committed war crimes in Kunduz – which the group over ran for 72 hours after a massive and well-planned attack late last month. (Tolo News)