UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack that took place at security checkpoints in northern Sar-e-Pul Province and Balkh Province, Afghanistan, on Dec. 31 2018.

Targeting the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, the Taliban militants' attack killed at least 27 members of security forces and injured 20 members of security forces.

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

The council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency in recent years killing government troops as well as civilians.

Violence has escalated in the previously peaceful northern region over the past few years as Afghan security forces push against the militants in the south and east regions.