Afghan President Hamid Karzai has released eight children groomed by Taliban insurgents to become suicide bombers.

Mr. Karzai greeted the group of boys, including a seven-year-old, during a ceremony at the presidential palace Tuesday.

The president said five of the children would be released to their parents, while authorities search for homes for another two. Mr. Karzai said the last child would not return to his family.

The eight children are among 20 youths detained after they were recruited to carry out suicide bombings.

The Associated Press reports that the remaining 12 would be returned to their homes after education and reintegration programs.

The Taliban have used children to carry out attacks in the past. In May, Afghan officials said a 12-year-old suicide bomber killed four people in the eastern province of Paktika.