The United Nation Assistance Mission Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a statement Saturday condemned the killing of 12 civilians, including eight children returning home from school as the result of IED blast in Paktika province.

“Children are once again the main victims of these indiscriminate and illegal weapons,” said Pernille Kardel, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan.

UNAMA in the statement called on insurgents to stop killing of civilians.

“There is a simple message to the perpetrators: stop using these weapons if you are serious about safeguarding Afghanistan’s civilians and the country’s future generation.” Kardel added.

UNAMA expresses deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured, the statement added.