Afghanistan: United Nations deplores bombing of displaced in Bazarak

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 19 November 1999 - United Nations staff based in Bazarak in the Panjshir Valley of Afghanistan have confirmed that a Taliban warplane bombed the Bazarak market area on 18 November 1999. The bombs hit the location where some IDPs are staying in tents and one of the public schools. Twelve people died, of whom ten were displaced persons. Of the fifty-six injured, twenty-four were hospitalised.

The area which was bombed is three and one half kilometres from the United Nations office in Bazarak. However, no UN or international agency staff were harmed. The United Nations established an office in Bazarak in September to respond to the needs of approximately 65,000 people from Shomali who fled to Panjshir during fighting that began in late July. Some displaced families are now are moving south in the valley, but their numbers are not yet known.

"We deplore this murder of civilians," said Erick de Mul, UN Coordinator for Afghanistan. "The United Nations calls upon both warring parties to ensure their protection. This episode is but the latest in the Afghan war in which civilians have been the targets of conflict between the warring sides," he added.

The United Nations in Afghanistan is currently assisting families displaced from the Shomali who have taken refuge in both Kabul and in Panjshir Valley. While access to those in Kabul is entirely feasible, reaching the displaced in the Panjshir is much more difficult. Of the two access roads to Panjshir, one is already closed for the rest of the winter due to snow. The United Nations has repeatedly requested permission for a humanitarian cross-line corridor from Kabul into Panjshir, but so far the Taliban have not responded positively.