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Attack on Indian embassy in Kabul ‘cowardly and heinous,’ declares UN envoy

Attack on Indian embassy in Kabul ‘cowardly and heinous,’ declares UN envoy

Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has condemned today’s suicide attack outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul, which reportedly killed over 40 people and injured more than 100, as a “cowardly and heinous crime.”

“In no culture, no country, and no religion is there any excuse or justification for such acts,” declared Kai Eide, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

“The total disregard for innocent lives is staggering and those behind this must be held responsible,” he added.

Also condemning the attack, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated that “no political agenda or grievance can justify such reprehensible means.”

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban urged that those responsible be brought to justice.

The President of the General Assembly, Srgjan Kerim, said he was “deep saddened and outraged” over the loss of life resulting from the attack. “Such acts of terrorism are unacceptable in all their forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes,” he stressed in a statement.

Adding its condemnation, the Security Council, in a press statement, spoke out against the attack, calling on all States to cooperate with Afghan authorities to bring those behind the “reprehensive act of terrorism” to justice.

“The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse the path toward peace, democracy and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and the international community.”

Today’s attack follows the murder two days ago of Haji Habibullah, a member of Parliament from the southern Kandahar province, and is the latest among a number of deadly incidents in the strife-torn nation in recent months, including an assassination attempt against President Hamid Karzai in April and a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Serena hotel in January that killed eight people.