WASHINGTON

The UN Security Council has strongly condemned Tuesday's "heinous and cowardly" terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the Council said in a statement on Wednesday.

At least five Chinese nationals and their local driver were killed in a suicide bombing in the Shangla district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Council expressed its "deepest" sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the governments of Pakistan and China, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The 15-member Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these "reprehensible acts" of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

The members urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the governments of Pakistan and China.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.