New Delhi, July 3 (IANS): Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Dhaka, asserting that there can be no justification for such barbaric acts while warning that all pluralist and open societies face a new level of threat.

"I am deeply shocked at the terrorist attack and the brutal killing of hostages, including an Indian national, in Dhaka. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whose loved ones have been killed,” Ansari said in a message.

"There can be no justification for such barbaric and reprehensible acts. Terrorism today has global reach and all pluralist and open societies face a new level of threat," he added.

Commending the swift action taken by the Bangladesh authorities, Ansari said that international terrorism can only be defeated by organised international action.

"I join the nation in praying for the bereaved families and early recovery of the injured," he said.