KABUL - Tuesday’s deadly bombings in Kabul and Kandahar sparked strong condemnation from leaders in Afghanistan and countries around the world.
Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah also came out strongly against the attacks and said on twitter “I condemn the coward and heinous terrorist attacks in #Kabul, #Kandahar & #Helmand today. The enemies will be held accountable.”
Abdullah had also been referring to the first suicide bombing of the day that took place in Lashkargah, Helmand. At least seven people were killed in this explosion.
Pakistan issued a statement condemning the Kabul and Kandahar incidents and said: “The government and people of Pakistan extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
“Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations and reaffirms its commitment for continued efforts and cooperation for eliminating this menace,” their statement read.
The United States’ National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement
that the U.S strongly condemns the terrorist attack on parliamentary buildings in Kabul … An attack on parliamentary facilities and lawmakers is clearly an assault on Afghanistan’s efforts to build democratic institutions.
“We also strongly condemn the terrorist attack today in Kandahar,” he said.
“We commend the Afghan police and other security forces who bravely responded to these attacks, and fully support Afghan efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The United States stands with the people and government of Afghanistan as we work together to build a more secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan.”
By Wednesday the casualty toll in both the Kabul and Kandahar attack had risen.
By mid-afternoon the Kabul death toll was over 50 and more than 150 wounded, while Kandahar death toll was officially 11 but was expected to rise. The number of wounded in that attack was 16.
The U.K envoy to Kabul, Dominic Jermey, meanwhile made it clear that the attacks were unacceptable.
Taking to twitter he said: “Disgusted by attacks today. Strongly condemn them - deepest sympathies with all those affected. #Afghanistan”
UNAMA also issued a statement condemning the Kabul and Kandahar attacks.
UNAMA said of the Kabul attack that a Taliban suicide attacker detonated his vest outside the Parliamentary Administration Compound. Shortly afterwards, the Taliban detonated a vehicle packed with explosives, impacting a civilian bus, parliamentary staff, bystanders, security guards and those responding to the first attack.
“While authorities confirmed two National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials were killed and four injured, preliminary information indicates the majority of the casualties were civilians. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they were targeting the NDS. The Taliban also acknowledged that they had deliberately timed the second blast to take place as first responders attended to persons caught in the initial explosion,” read their statement.
“Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve,” said Pernille Kardel, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable," said Kardel, who is also acting head of UNAMA.
President Ashraf Ghani meanwhile has appointed a task team to investigate the Kandahar incident. His national security council chief Haneef Atmar is heading the team and arrived in Kandahar early Wednesday.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the Lashkargah and Kabul explosions but denied involvement in the Kandahar attack. They implied that internal disputes in local government led to the incident. (Tolonews)