They’re called terrorists for a reason. These evil-filled creatures see nothing wrong with purposely killing and maiming innocent men, women and children to draw attention to their cause —or themselves.

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists used small knifes to commandeer airplanes and turned them into flying torpedoes.

One day after Monday’s terror attacks at the Boston Marathon, sources close to the investigation indicate another common household item was used to kill and injure Americans — pressure cookers.

In the hands of a sadistic killer, even mundane items can become dangerous. Investigators believe the pressure-cooker bombs were packed with nails, ball bearing and other projectiles. The flying shrapnel killed three people and wounded more than 170 victims, some whose limbs were ripped off.

Although the Boston Marathon attack pales in comparison to the carnage created on Sept. 11, they are both acts of terror.

By midday on Tuesday, no one had definitively pointed a finger at any would-be suspects. Although our natural tendency is to blame foreign terrorists, the attacks just as easily might be the work of a domestic nut job.

It’s simply too early to know for sure.

Regardless of who is ultimately to blame, the only way to deal with the cowardly cretins who do this sort of thing is to throw the full investigative power of the country onto the case.

Let’s hunt down those responsible and do all within our country’s power to ensure that the responsible parties never are able to harm another person again.

Until earthly justice can be served, let’s pray for the victims and their families.