The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned the suicide attack that took place on Saturday near the New Kabul Bank in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, that killed at least 33 people and injured more than 100, including civilians.
"The continuing use of suicide attacks in densely populated areas, that are certain to kill and maim large numbers of Afghan civilians, may amount to a war crime," said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA.
"Those responsible for this horrendous crime must be held accountable," he said.
On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, the Special Representative expresses his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.
Another blast has been reported in Behsud district, on the outskirts of Jalalabad - which has claimed the life of at least one person. This comes after an earlier blast in the city Saturday which killed at least 33 people and injured over 100, officials said.
In addition the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) confirmed that another two explosive devices were found and defused near the scene of the first blast in Jalalabad.
President Ashraf Ghani has meanwhile issued a statement and condemed the attack as an act by "terrorists". He says: "This attack was inhumane and un-Islamic."
He says attacks like these will only increase the country's hatred of the insurgents. He also passed on his deep condolences to the families of those killed.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the MoI, the ministry said: "After the suicide attack Afghan National Police discovered, defused and exploded two explosive-rigged motorcycles in the area, the other two explosions were controlled explosions by Nangarhar Police but no casualties."
The ministry has also strongly condemned the attack. "The Ministry strongly condemns all acts of violence as these heinous acts go against the values of humanity as well values of peaceful Afghans. These attacks also demonstrate an extreme level of atrocity by terrorists against innocent and defenseless civilians. "
The statement noted the incident took place when a suicide bomber detonated his suicide vest in a line of people queuing for salaries near the New Kabul Bank branch in Jalalabad city, eastern Nangarhar, at 08:00 am Saturday.
The wounded have been taken to hospital and police have started investigations.
No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the incidents.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs expresses its deepest condolences to the families and relatives who lost their lives in this incident.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/3452
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