In a statement issued by UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the envoy said "I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. In no culture, no country, and no religion is there any excuse or justification for such acts. The total disregard for innocent lives is staggering and those behind this must be held responsible."

Also on Monday, a roadside bomb struck a police van in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, leaving three policemen dead and wounding four others.

Insurgency has gained pace over the months and the outgoing month saw the fiercest clashes this year between anti-government elements and Afghan troops backed by international forces.

The Taliban, who went into insurgency after being overthrown from power six and half years ago, have been expanding their influence from the traditional bases in the south and east to the west and north.

Militancy and conflicts have claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people with some 700 civilians so far this year in Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2008)