The Jamia Naeemia madrassa in Lahore was the target of a suicide bombing that killed anti-Taliban cleric Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi (AFP)

The Jamia Naeemia madrassa in Lahore was the target of a suicide bombing that killed anti-Taliban cleric Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Naeemi (AFP)

ISLAMABAD, June 13 — In a late address to the nation after twin bombings in Nowshehra and Lahore, President Asif Ali Zardari said the Taliban have started attacking mosques and questioned their claim to be Muslims.

He said, “the Nation and the Pakistan Army is fighting a battle for the survival of Pakistan. The armed forces are pitched against Taliban who are neither Muslim nor have any love for Islam.”

The Taliban on Friday attacked two mosques and killed Dr. Sarfraz Naeemi, who had declared suicide attacks ‘Haram’, or forbidden, in Islam.

Zardari paid rich tributes to the Army men who gave their lives in the cause of Pakistan’s battle against militancy.

“These people have slaughtered Muslims. These people have burnt schools and killed innocent people,” he said, adding that are murderers and not Muslims.

“We will not surrender to these handful of armed militants who intend to keep civil society as hostage.”

Zardari announced, “We will establish a permanent cantonment in Swat.”

He said former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto gave the sacrifice of her life fighting these militants.

“We will fight till victory, justice and Islamic values,” he vowed.