Mush vows to crush terror after a spate of suicide attacks

Karachi: Expressing concern over the increase in suicide bombings in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday vowed to target those behind such attacks.

"We are concerned at the suicide attacks. We will target its source. Unless we target the source, we cannot eliminate the scourge," he said at a function to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Pakistan, Muhamamd Ali Jinnah.

"We have the conviction to crush it," Musharraf said, adding that the internal security would be improved. He said the the general election would be held as scheduled on January 8 and no one would be allowed to disrupt the process.

More than 300 people, including soldiers and policemen, have been killed in over 30 suicide attacks in Pakistan this year.

Fifty-four people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in a mosque in the northwestern town of Sherpao during Eid prayers on December 21. The bomber intended to target former interior minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who was involved in the campaign against Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, but he escaped unhurt. Sherpao survived another suicide attack in April that killed nearly 30 people.

Musharraf also said that there is no external threat to Pakistan as the country's armed forces are capable of dealing with such problems. "There is no problem of external security. Our strategic forces are in a better position. We are a nuclear and missile force. All the missiles are test proven," he said.

But internal threats have assumed a new dimension due to extremism and terrorism. "Unfortunately we are facing a new dimension and we will have to deal with it," he said.

Attempts are being made to "spread terrorism from the tribal regions to settled areas in North West Frontier Province", Musharraf said.

He also referred to the Swat valley in the NWFP, where the army had been engaged in a major operation against pro-Taliban militants since mid-November.

"I pay tribute to the army and the people of Swat. We crushed those who were spreading terrorism. Such a policy will also be pursued in other areas. We should not rest until we eliminate terrorism and extremism," he said.

Musharraf admitted that the administration was facing problems in dealing with the spread of terrorism and extremism but said the security forces have "achieved success".