UN : Perpetrators of Kabul attack must be brought to justice

The UN Security Council on Sunday stressed the need to bring to justice the perpetrators of a terror attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, and reiterated its commitment to fighting all terrorist activities. "The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan," said a press statement issued here by the 15-nation body. Several gunmen and suicide bombers launched an attack on several targets including the compound of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and a police station in central Kabul on Friday evening. Three staffers of the IOM got wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that its target was a "military rest house." The Security Council members expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Afghanistan, and wished the injured a speedy recovery, said the statement. The Council stressed the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these "reprehensible acts of terrorism" to justice, and urged all states, "in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard," the statement added. The most powerful UN body also reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group." In the statement, the Council members reiterated their determination to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, adding that "no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability."