KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the killing today of at least eight civilians and the injuring of more than 200 in Kabul.

“I condemn, in the strongest terms, today’s indiscriminate attack in Kabul,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. “I reiterate UNAMA’s repeated calls for the immediate ban of weapons which kill and maim indiscriminately, and to cease attacks in civilian-populated areas. Those responsible for such attacks must be held accountable.”

A truck heavily packed with explosive materials detonated in the Shah Shahid area of Kabul in the middle of the night when people were home sleeping. Among those killed and injured were women and children.

UNAMA extends its condolences to the families of all of those killed in the explosion and wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

On Wednesday UNAMA released its latest report on civilian casualties in Afghanistan. The report documented 4,921 civilian casualties (1,592 deaths and 3,329 injured) in the first half of 2015, a one per cent increase in total civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2014.