Karzai, UN denounce attack on hospital

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai criticised on Saturday a suicide attack on a 400-bed military hospital in the heart of Kabul.

At least six workers were killed and 23 others injured in the bomb assault on Sardar Mohammad Daud Hospital in the high-security Wazir Akbar Khan area.

In a statement from the Presidential Palace, Karzai said: “Afghanistan‘s enemies are so cruel and coward that they don’t spare even patients and doctors.”

Calling the assault a violation of Islamic teachings, he said the incident had once again proved that the militants had no programme other than killing the “innocent people”.

No religion allowed attacks on hospitals, something that ran counter to human values and dignity, the president added, directing defence and public health ministries to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.

He prayed to Allah to shower His blessings on the departed souls and grant the victims’ families the courage to bear the loss of their near and dear ones with fortitude.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the suicide attack on the Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan Hospital.

The hospital provides medical services to members of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and their families, and is also a medical faculty.

“UNAMA stresses that attacks on medical workers and hospitals are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. All medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected in all circumstances,” the mission said in a statement.

It further said directing an attack against a zone established to shelter wounded and sick persons and civilians from the effects of hostilities was also illegal and prohibited.

“As parties to the conflict, all anti-government elements have clear responsibilities under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and to not attack them”.

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Karzai, UN denounce attack on hospital