KANDAHAR, Feb 12: Police arrested two `would-be bombers` in southern Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday, months after President Hamid Karzai pardoned them over a similar incident.

`The two 10-year-old wouldbe bombers were arrested along with three other militants last week, while planning an attack on Afghan and international forces in Kandahar,` Zalmai Ayubi, the provincial spokesman said.

The children had two vests full of explosives when they were arrested, he added.

They had previously been arrested when both were wearing explosive vests. They were released along with 18 other children last August after Mr Karzai pardoned them and sent them home.-AFP