Expelled from hideouts, terrorists killing innocents: Sharif

Islamabad, March 28 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said terrorists were killing innocent people and attacking soft targets after they were expelled from their hideouts.

The prime minister was addressing the nation a day after a Taliban suicide bomber killed nearly 70 people, including women and children, at a public park in Lahore.

"Terrorists have been deprived of their hideouts, training camps and infrastructure and now their remnants are attacking soft targets like educational institutions, public places and recreation areas," Xinhua quoted Sharif as saying.

US President Barrack Obama had invited Sharif to a nuclear summit being held in Washington later this month, but Sharif cancelled his visit over the terrorist attack.

"I want to reiterate my commitment that terrorists would be made accountable for every drop of blood of martyrs," Sharif said in his address.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group claimed responsibility. The group's spokesman said Christians were the target during Easter celebrations. However, police said over 40 among the dead were Muslims.

"Action against terrorists would continue till we made them accountable for the last drop of the blood," Sharif promised the nation.

He expressed the government's determination to firmly continue the mission of transforming Pakistan into a cradle of peace, progress and prosperity.

He said he has given clear instructions to concerned institutions to bring terrorists and their facilitators to book wherever they are.

"The operation has achieved its major objectives but the mission would continue till complete eradication of terrorism from the country," he said.