NEW DELHI – India strongly condemned the “cowardly and barbaric” terrorattacks in Kabul and northern Baghlan province of Afghanistan, which killedover 50 people and left dozens injured, in the latest wave of attacks thatcame ahead of parliamentary and district council elections in the country.

Afghan authorities said at least 57 people were killed in a bomb blastoutside a voter registration centre in Afghan capital Kabul, while anotherblast in Baghlan province left five people dead.

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

“What makes this attack particularly reprehensible is the fact that theterrorists and their backers chose to attack voters registration centre forthe upcoming parliamentary and district council elections. The attack hasresulted in the death of Afghans who firmly support and believe in thedemocratic process to empower themselves and make their voice heard,” itsaid.

Condemning the strikes in Kabul and Baghlan and calling them “cowardly andbarbaric”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India stands readyto extend all possible assistance, including for treatment of those injuredin the attacks.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the victims, andwe wish quick and complete recovery to the injured,” the MEA said.

India has been actively involved in reconstruction of war-ravagedAfghanistan and it has been pushing for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-ledreconciliation process in the country to bring permanent peace andstability there.

An Islamic State suicide bomber killed at least 57 people including womenand children and wounded 112 outside a voter registration centre in theAfghan capital Kabul. At least five people were killed when their vehiclestruck a roadside bomb in the northern Baghlan province.