BEIJING, March 4 -- The Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Dmitry Mezentsev condemned Saturday's terrorist attack in Kunming, the capital city of southern China's Yunnan Province.

According to a statement on Monday, the SCO also expressed deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the Chinese people and government.

All forms of terrorism and violence against civilians are criminal. The international community should further cooperate to combat terrorism and extremism in any form, the statement said.

On Saturday evening, several black-clad assailants wielding long knives, stabbed and slashed at passengers at the square in front of Kunming Railway Station and ticket hall, killing 29 civilians and injuring 143 others.

Many countries and leaders around the world have condemned the terrorist attack, calling for justice.