KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, I condemn today’s attack in Kabul that targeted Afghan National Police (ANP) cadets and their instructors, killing 33 and injuring 71 others.

Earlier today, the Taliban launched a two-stage suicide attack, in Kabul province’s Paghman district, that began with the detonation of a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) against the first ANP bus in a convoy travelling from the Maidan Wardak ANP education centre to Kabul city. Another suicide attacker then detonated his body-borne IED as passengers in the other four ANP buses disembarked to help the injured.

This attack appears specifically designed to maximize suffering as police went to the aid of their fallen colleagues.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

There is simply no justification for such an attack. 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. The perpetrators must be held accountable.

On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, I express our deep condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery of the injured.

Tadamichi Yamamoto is the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).