MANDI BAHAUDDIN: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said here on Wednesday that terrorists were carrying out subversive activities in the country by misusing religion and attacking innocent people, including children and women.

He also said the country`s enemies were getting assistance from outside to create anarchy and achieve their nefarious designs.

The minister said the recent assassination of a Punjab minister in Attock had strengthened the nation`s resolve to combat and eradicate terrorism.

Talking to reporters after attending the 30th passing out parade at the Pakistan Rangers Academy here, he condemned the Attock attack and the attempt on the life of MNA Rashid Godil, saying such incidents could not weaken the nation`s resolve against terrorism.

Every heinous action by terrorists, he said, strengthened `our resolve`.

He warned the elements trying to demoralise the nation, saying such attempts obstructed action against anti-state elements.

He said perpetrators of the Attock incident would be brought to justice soon because investigations by law enforcement agencies were heading in the right direction and were close to laying hands on culprits.

`The culprits are on our target, we are just waiting for completion of the investigation,` he said.

Chaudhry Nisar said the terrorists striking at soft targets were on the retreat after dismantling of their networks.

In reply to a question, he said the late home minister Shuja Khanzada was a brave person and believed in keeping low security.

He said Shuja Khanzada had been advised not to visit his Shadi Khel village, but politicians had to meet people in their constituencies.

He stressed the need for enhancing the capacity of intelligence departments to ensure peace and tranquillity.

On a question about resignations of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement`s parliamentarians, he said the government had never talked about any `minus-one` formula with reference to any leader.

He said whoever committed a crime, including MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq`s murder, would be brought to book.The resignation issue will be tackled in accordance with the law and the Constitution.

He said the government had forgiven those who had taken unconstitutional steps to oust it and used derogatory language against elected representatives. `We want to promote democratic norms and put the country on the path of progress and development.

In his address at the ceremony, he congratulated the 499 cadets who completed their training.

`You are going to join the Punjab Rangers force, which has the responsibility to safeguard the frontiers and also ensure peace and security within the country,` he said.

The interior minister said it was difficult to fight a hidden enemy who carried out cowardly attacks.

He expressed confidence that the civil armed forces would continue to come up to the expectations of the nation and succeedinnushingoutterrorists.

Chaudhry Nisar said India was continuously violating the ceasefire on the Working Boundary and Line of Control in Kashmir and attacking civilians.

He said that despite financial constraints, the government had allocated Rs 45 billion for capacity building of the civil armed forces.-Agencies