India condemns 'cowardly' terror attacks in Kabul

tNew Delhi: India strongly condemned the "cowardly and barbaric" terror attacks in Kabul and northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan on Sunday, which killed over 50 people and left dozens injured, in the latest wave of attacks that came ahead of parliamentary and district council elections in the country.

Afghan authorities said at least 48 people were killed in a bomb blast outside a voter registration centre in Afghan capital Kabul, while another blast in Baghlan province left five people dead.

Referring to the Kabul attack, India said it was not only an attack on innocent civilians, but also an attack on the democratic rights of the Afghan people.

"What makes this attack particularly reprehensible is the fact that the terrorists and their backers chose to attack a voters' registration centre for the upcoming parliamentary and district council elections. The attack has resulted in the death of Afghans who firmly support and believe in the democratic process to empower themselves and make their voice heard," it said.

Condemning the strikes in Kabul and Baghlan and calling them "cowardly and barbaric", the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India stands ready to extend all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injured in the attacks.