ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister on Thursday strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast in Choor Chowk Rawalpindi and reiterated government’s resolve that military operation will continue till elimination of last Talib.

In a message the President said the noose around the militants had been tightened and they were acting in desperation. ‘Such attacks only strengthen the resolve of the government to chase the militants till their complete destruction,’ he said.

President Zardari said he was deeply grieved over the loss of innocent lives in the attack and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He directed the government to compensate the heirs of the victims without delay and provide best medical treatment to those injured.

The attack took place at Choor Chowk on a busy highway called Peshawar Road at about 4pm when a suicide bomber in a motorbike hit a bus of a sensitive government department carrying some 27 persons.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives and said: ‘The perpetrators of such heinous acts of terrorism would not be spared.’

He reiterated the government’s resolve to fight terrorism till this menace is rooted out from the country.

The prime minister has ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident. He asked the concerned authorities to ensure the provision of immediate relief and best medical care to the injured.