Bombing in Helmand dubbed as morally reprehensible

LASHKARGAH (SW): A car bombing in Helmand province on Friday that killed up to 15 people has been widely condemned.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) noted on Saturday that the detonation of a vehicle-borne explosive device that took place in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand, near a park when those who had gathered at a sports event were departing, is morally reprehensible.

“An attack targeting civilians leaving a festive sports match can only be described as morally reprehensible; such attacks must immediately stop,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

“At a time when Afghans are looking toward much-needed peace, we must not allow such attacks to deter our collective resolve to make progress on ending the conflict,” said Yamamoto, who is also head of UNAMA. “The United Nations stands with Afghans in solidarity and remains committed to an Afghan-led peace process that will end the war and enable Afghanistan to allocate more resources to protect all citizens from such atrocities.”

Umar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Salam Watandar all victims of this blast are civilians. The friends and relatives of the victims have also criticized the security officials of negligence.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. This comes days after the Daesh-claimed suicide bombing in Kabul on Wednesday that claimed 29 lives.

ENDS