The United Nations will continue its work in the western Afghan province of Herat, despite Saturday's suicide bomb attack on its compounds repelled by Afghan security forces, UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura said on Sunday.
According to media reports, a suicide car bomber and three armed militants wearing explosives vests and dressed as women attacked the United Nations compound before midday, local time, on Saturday, sparking a fire fight with guards and the police during which the assailants were killed.
One of the attackers is reported to have blown himself up with an explosive. UN employees were not hurt in the attack while two Afghan security forces were wounded by the assailants.
"The UN will continue to maintain its presence and programs in Herat for the benefit of the population and in support of the Afghan authorities," De Mistura said in a statement.
De Mistura thanked the Afghan national police force, the Afghan security forces and the International Security Assistance Force for their assistance in protecting UN personnel and thwarting the attack.
Violence has surged in Afghanistan in recent months, with the Taliban group, which was toppled in a 2001 U.S.-led campaign, staging regular attacks on provincial government officials, police and civilians and planting roadside bombs to target Afghan, U.S. and NATO troops.
KABUL, October 24 (RIA Novosti)
