UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 15 -- The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday condemned the attack targeting an education center in Kabul that killed at least 48 people, calling it a "heinous and cowardly terrorist attack."

In a press statement, the council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The UNSC underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice and urged all states to cooperate with the Afghan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

Members of the council expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Afghanistan and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

Earlier Wednesday, UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak called the suicide attack "unacceptable," adding that the General Assembly continues to stand against terrorism and with Afghanistan.

He said many of the victims were young people preparing for university entrance exams, noting pursuing an education should not be risk to one's life.

Up to 48 students were killed and 67 others injured in a suicide bomb blast targeting a private education center in Dasht-e-Barchi of Kabul on Wednesday, the Afghan public health ministry said.

The UN mission in the country condemned the attack, saying in a statement that there is "no justification whatsoever for targeting civilians, at any time, under any circumstances."

No group has claimed responsibility yet. However, people pointed finger at the Islamic State group, saying the extremist outfit could be behind the deadly attack as it was in the past.