KABUL, Afghanistan – Gen. John R. Allen, commander, International Security Assistance Force, today denounced insurgent use of children as suicide bombers.
"The cold tactic of using any human being - especially children - to conduct suicide attacks is utterly despicable, and I denounce these tactics," said Allen.
In the most recent case, Afghan National Security Forces in Kandahar announced yesterday the arrest of two young male prospective suicide bombers in the past week during an operation to counter insurgent violence. President Karzai had earlier pardoned the boys last August for the same crime.
"In now promoting child-suicide attacks, the insurgency have forfeited any remaining support they may have had with the people of Afghanistan,” added Allen. "We stand side by side with the Afghan people to do everything we can to eliminate suicide bombers of any age from the cities, towns and villages throughout the country."