Pakistan vows to fight terrorism

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 4 (UPI) -- The Pakistani government will not let up on its fight against extremism and terrorism despite recent bombings that killed dozens, a spokesman said.

Interior Ministry Spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters the attacks, including those in the tribal areas and Tuesday's explosions at Pakistan's Naval War College in Lahore, are designed to put pressure on the new government to be installed soon following elections in January.

The war college attacks, reportedly set off by two suicide bombers, killed at least seven people and injured 20 more. The Lahore blast followed a series of attacks last week by Taliban supporters in the tribal areas in which dozens died.

"It is unfortunate that there have been three suicide attacks during the last one week in (the tribal northwest province) only," Cheema said, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported. "Suicide attack at Pakistan Naval War College Lahore and other terrorist and suicide attacks are aimed at exerting pressure on the coming government."

He said the government is determined to root out extremism and terrorism and urged all citizens to give their support to "defeat terrorism and to ensure smooth and orderly transfer of power to the elected representatives."