UN mission in Afghanistan condemns killing of civilians by blasts

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has condemned two separate improvised explosive device attacks that killed 19 civilians, according to a statement from the mission on Sunday.

"UNAMA condemns two improvised explosive device (IED) detonations on civilian vehicles in recent days that killed 19 civilians in Helmand and Badghis provinces. Both devices used victim-activated pressure plate triggers that are both illegal and indiscriminate," the statement reads.

On Saturday, nine civilians died after a tractor set off an IED in southern Helmand province while 10 members of a family were killed after their private vehicle touched off an IED in western Badghis province on Thursday.

Among the victims were 15 women and children.

"The terrible toll on civilian life caused by indiscriminate pressure-plate IEDs is intolerable and their use may constitute a war crime," UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, was quoted in the statement as saying.

"These devices continue to indiscriminately kill and maim civilians and spread terror throughout civilian communities. Anti-Government Elements must immediately order their fighters to cease the use of these illegal and indiscriminate weapons," Yamamoto, who is also head of UNAMA, noted.

The Taliban militant group has been using IEDs to target security forces, but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians, according to Afghan officials.

The mission has also expressed deepest condolences to the families of those killed in these incidents. Endit