Islamabad: Pakistan security forces have arrested the militants involved in last month's suicide bomb attack on Prime Minister-designate Shoukat Aziz, the Country's Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said today (Aug 17, 2004).

Investigators arrested 63 terrorists, including 12 foreigners, in a crackdown against militant groups during the last one-month, he told reporters in Islamabad.

Hayat accused the hard-line Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) of sheltering the wanted terrorists. The Minister, however, did not given any details.

The attack on Aziz, in which eight persons including the PM-designate's driver were killed and several injured, was owned by Islambuli Brigade of al-Qaeda in Cairo.

Hayat also said Pakistan security officials managed to foil an attempt by militants to disrupt the country's Independence Day celebrations on Aug 14.

The Independence Day function in Islamabad passed off peacefully amid tight security on the ground and aerial surveillance with helicopters to prevent any rocket attacks.