UN mission in Afghanistan condemns Taliban attack on national police cadets

30 June 2016 – The top United Nations official in Afghanistan today condemned a suicide attack targeting national police in the country's capital, Kabul.

The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, said there was "no justification for such an attack."

At least 33 people were killed and 71 others injured in a suicide attack that targeted Afghan National Police (ANP) cadets and their instructors.

"I remind all parties to the armed conflict in Afghanistan that they are bound to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law at all times," said Mr. Yamamoto, who is also the new head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

He conveyed his deep condolences on behalf of the UN system in the country to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery of the injured.

According to the statement, the two-stage attack was launched by the Taliban in Kabul province's Paghman district.

It began with the detonation of a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device targeting an ANP bus. When passengers from the other ANP buses disembarked to help the injured, a second suicide bomber detonated his body-borne device.

"This attack appears specifically designed to maximize suffering as police went to the aid of their fallen colleagues," said Mr. Yamamoto, stressing that the perpetrators must be held accountable.