India strongly condemns Kabul terrorist attack; says perpetrators of violence should be brought to 'justice'

India on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Afghanistan's Kabul where at least 95 people were killed and 160 injured in one of the deadliest explosion in the city.

"India strongly condemns the barbaric and dastardly terrorist attacks in Kabul today that targeted innocent civilians and the wounded under treatment," the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement.

This is the second terrorist attack in less than a week in Afghanistan after the attack on the children and civilians in Jalalabad on January 24 killing as many as four and injuring dozens where terrorist group Islamic State or ISIS claimed responsibility. 

India, in its statement, called for the perpetrators of the attacks and their supporters to be brought to 'justice' and said there can be no justification for such 'reprehensible' attacks.

"India urged for the perpetrators of these attacks and their supporters should be brought to justice. India stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Afghanistan at this difficult times of mindless violence and terror imposed on them. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the next of kins of victims of these terror attacks and pray for speedy recovery to those injured," the MEA further said in its statement.

India has also offered to extend all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injured.

The blast occurred when an ambulance packed with explosives detonated close to the gate of the old Ministry of Interior building in Kabul on Saturday. The Taliban had claimed responsibility for the suicide car bomb attack that occurred at the Sadarat square in center of the city on Saturday.

Mirwais Yasini, a member of parliament who was nearby when the explosion occurred, said the ambulance approached the checkpoint, close to an office of the High Peace Council and a number of foreign embassies, and blew up.

AFP reporters heard a loud explosion that rattled the windows of their compound and photos posted online purportedly of the blast showed a huge plume of smoke rising into the sky.