KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the suicide car bombing which took place in the central eastern province of Panjshir yesterday, killing at least 15 people – including seven civilians.

As well, more than a dozen people were injured, including civilians, with casualties expected to rise in the coming days.

According to reports, a car laden with explosives detonated at a security check-point at an entrance to the province on Thursday afternoon. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.

“The killing of civilians is reprehensible and should be roundly condemned,” said the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and acting head of UNAMA, Mark Bowden. “Indiscriminate attacks which kill and injure civilians may amount to war crimes and are serious breaches of international humanitarian law which binds all parties to the armed conflict in Afghanistan.”

UNAMA extends its condolences to the families of all of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.