UNITED NATIONS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Condemning Wednesday's terrorist attack in Afghan Kabul during celebrations of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, the United Nations (UN) Security Council urged that the attackers and planners be punished.

In a statement, the Security Council underlined the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,and urged all states to cooperate with the Afghan government as well as all other relevant authorities.

Calling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, the council said all states needed to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts by all means.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for the people behind the act to be brought to justice, saying Nowruz, a time of renewal and celebration, should be a time for promoting peace and solidarity.

A suicide bomber struck near a major shrine in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 33 people and injuring 65 others.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.