A flower bouquet is seen at a blast site inside Shahr-e-Dubai wedding hall in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Rahmatullah Alizadah)

Russia urged the Afghan authorities and the forces of the international coalition to step up the struggle to destroy IS bases in the country.

MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned the latest major terrorist attack in Afghanistan and called on the international community to strengthen efforts to fight terrorists in the country.

An explosion, for which the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group claimed responsibility, ripped through a packed hall during a wedding ceremony in Kabul on Saturday night, killing 63 people and injuring more than 180.

"The attack in Kabul was carried out at a time when the Afghan people started feeling hope for peace and national harmony after 18 years of fratricidal war and on the eve of a major public holiday, the 100th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan," the ministry said in a statement.

It recalled that Russia had repeatedly warned that IS terrorists took root on Afghan territory, making more and more impudent and inhumane attacks and bringing pain and suffering to ordinary people.

The ministry urged the Afghan authorities and the forces of the international coalition to take decisive measures to ensure security in Afghanistan and step up the struggle to destroy IS bases in the country.

It also expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.