UNAMA regrets execution of six militants in Afghanistan

In view of the execution of six militants convicted of terror offences by the government, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed regret on the move.

"In line with the continued call of the United Nations for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, UNAMA regrets the execution of six alleged perpetrators of serious crimes and crimes against civilians," Khaama Press quoted a statement by the UN mission as saying.

The statement said that the United Nations notes there is no conclusive evidence of the deterrent value of the death penalty and the use of capital punishment does not contribute to public safety.

"UNAMA encourages the Government of Afghanistan to expedite legal reform, which would allow death sentences to be commuted to life imprisonment," the statement added.

The militants, which included a Haqqani terrorist member as well as an affiliate of the al-Qaeda terrorist network who were mainly involved in high profile attacks reportedly, including the assassination of former president and high peace council chief Burhanuddin Rabbani, were executed early on Sunday.

The execution followed days after the Taliban group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in capital Kabul which left at least 64 dead and 347 others wounded.

Following the attack, President Ashraf Ghani announced the government's decision to suppress the militants by adopting the military option. A list of the militants convicted of terror offences was forwarded to President Ghani soon after.