KABUL - The US-led international community has strongly condemned the twin explosions in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif that resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of Afghan civilian mourners on the occasion of Ashura. UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed his grief over the bombings, with his spokesperson saying: "The secretary-general is deeply saddened by Tuesday's attacks in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif."
The secretary-general condemned in the strongest terms such indiscriminate attacks against civilians and extended his "deepest" condolences to the families of the deceased and wounded.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also slammed the explosions and expressed "heartfelt" condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Our thoughts are with all those Afghans who have been affected and we hope for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured."
"Such illegal and indiscriminate attacks are completely unacceptable and those responsible are fully accountable for the deaths and injuries of civilians caused by such brutal acts," a statement from the UN mission said.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: "These attacks directed at worshipers marking the Shiite holy day of Ashura are deplorable, and those responsible show their complete disregard for the efforts of the Afghan people to make their country more stable, more peaceful and more democratic."
"As the international community showed at the Bonn conference, we will not allow the progress of the last 10 years to be rolled back," Clinton said, adding that the US would continue to work with the Afghan government and people to combat violent extremism..."
State Department spokesman Mark Toner denounced the assaults as "a terrible tragedy". He said the capacity of Afghan security forces was improving to deal with such security threats, but lone individuals or coordinated attacks among several individuals were difficult to stop.
The ISAF commander also condemned the blasts. "An attack against Ashura pilgrims on one of the holiest of days in the Islamic calendar is an attack against Islam itself, and we denounce these atrocities in the strongest of terms," said Gen. John R. Allen. "Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those innocent civilians killed or injured."
NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Simon Gass said: "The attacks on such an important religious day are horrifying and to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. That men, women and children, are killed and injured on Ashura is particularly tragic..."
Canadian Foreign Minister Baird saw no justification for the "cowardly acts of religious extremism" which targeted innocent men, women and children simply practicing their faith in peace. The perpetrators would be brought to justice, the minister hoped.