UN grieves for slain colleagues and children in Afghanistan after deadly attacks

The United Nations today expressed grief over the killing in Afghanistan of five of its workers in a roadside bomb blast and also for the deaths of four children and the wounding of four others in a separate explosion at a school, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon strongly condemning these “despicable acts” of violence.

“Intentional attacks on civilians are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN will be pursuing full accountability for those who are behind this,” said UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) spokesman Adrian Edwards in the Afghan capital Kabul.

“We grieve for our lost colleagues and for the murdered and wounded children and offer our deep sympathies to their families and loved ones.”

A remote-controlled explosive device was detonated this morning in the southern city of Kandahar as a UN road convoy was passing, killing an Afghan driver and four Nepalese contractors working with the world body’s Office for Project Services (OPS).

Separately another explosion occurred at a school in Herat, in the west of the country, killing four children and wounding four others.

Today’s deadly attacks are the latest amid increasing violence in Afghanistan, prompting Mr. Ban to say he is “deeply concerned” at the security situation throughout the country, which is causing rising civilian casualties.

“The Secretary General strongly condemns such despicable acts of violence against civilians and sends his profound condolences to the bereaved families and respective governments of the victim’s of today’s incidents,” his spokesperson said.