Photo taken on Oct. 18, 2020 shows a damaged building after a blast struck the provincial police office in Firoz Koah, capital of Afghanistan's western Ghor province. (Str/Xinhua)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday strongly condemned the day's indiscriminate attack on a provincial police headquarters in Afghanistan's province of Ghor.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the indiscriminate attack today on a provincial police headquarters in Afghanistan's province of Ghor, in an area where many civilians are present," according to a statement issued by Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general.

Photo taken on Oct. 18, 2020 shows the explosion site after a blast struck the provincial police office in Firoz Koah, capital of Afghanistan's western Ghor province. (Str/Xinhua)

According to preliminary reports, the attack claimed the lives of at least 13 persons and injured dozens of civilians, including women and children. Those who carry out such crimes must be held accountable, said the statement.

"The secretary-general expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. The United Nations remains committed to support the people and Government of Afghanistan," said the statement.