NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday condemned the recent militant attack on a courthouse in the western Afghan province of Farah a day earlier, and reiterated the western military alliance's continued support to the Afghan government.
"I strongly condemn yesterday's brutal attack on the courthouse in Farah Province, Afghanistan that killed more than 40 people and injured dozens more," Rasmussen was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the NATO website.
"We stand with the Afghan leadership in strongly condemning this indiscriminate assault, which killed many Afghan civilians. This attack shows contempt for civilian life and the suffering of innocent people. There can be no justification for such an act," he said.
"Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. NATO will continue to support the Afghan authorities as they take responsibility for their country's security," Rasmussen added.
At least nine heavily armed militants strapped with explosives and dressed in military uniforms were reportedly involved in the court house attack. All of them were killed in fighting with security forces. Most of the other casualties in the incident were civilians.
The US and other allied nations involved in the mission are currently making serious efforts to get the Afghan security forces ready and capable of handling the country's security before the planned withdrawal of coalition troops by the end of 2014.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has already begun the process of entrusting the country's security responsibilities to Afghan forces in a gradual manner. However, there are wide concerns about the ability of Afghan security forces to counter Taliban insurgency without the same level of foreign military assistance and presence.
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