Photo: VCG

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday strongly condemned the suicide attacks at an election campaign rally in Parwan Province and a public place in Kabul, Afghanistan, which caused numerous civilian casualties.

At least 46 people were confirmed dead and 70 others injured on Tuesday in two deadly bombings claimed by the Taliban.

Guterres expressed his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Afghanistan, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, in a statement.

Guterres underscored that all Afghan citizens -- whether voters, candidates or election-related staff -- have the right to be free from fear, intimidation and violence, said the statement.

Attacks against civilians are unacceptable and those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable, it said.

The first blast struck a campaign rally of incumbent President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in Parwan's provincial capital city of Charikar, killing 24 people and injuring 32 others. The second explosion happened in Kabul and targeted an office of the Defense Ministry, killing 22 people and injuring 38 others.