UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attack in Kabul

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" a terrorist attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul, for which Taliban claimed responsibility.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever it is committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," the 15-nation UN body said in a statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," said the statement.

An explosion rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday morning, killing at least 28 people and wounding more than 300 others, reports said.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, ISIL (Da'esh) affiliates, illegal and armed groups to the local population, national defense and security forces, and international presence in Afghanistan," the statement said.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, the statement said.

The Security Council reiterated "that no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the Afghan-led process along the path towards peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan," it added.