At least five people were killed and 20 others injured after an explosion tore through Darul Uloom Haqqania, a madrassa in Pakistan’s Akkora Khattak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, during Friday prayers. The blast occurred in the madrassa’s main hall, prompting authorities to declare an emergency in Nowshera.
As per reports, emergency responders from Rescue 1122 rushed to the scene, while law enforcement agencies launched an investigation. District police chief Abdul Rashid confirmed that officers were looking into the matter. According to a Dawn report, around 20 injured individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment.
‘Maulana Haqqani Was Target’: Police
Speaking to Samaa TV, KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said, “It appears to be a suicide blast, as per initial investigations. Some are injured and some are among the martyrs. It appears that Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani was the target.”
Maulana Haqqani, the chief of JUI-S, is the son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq. He has been a political figure and an Islamic scholar, previously serving in the National Assembly from November 2002 to 2007. Following his father’s assassination, he took on the roles of vice chancellor at Jamia Darul Uloom Haqqania and chairman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami).
‘Cowardly and Heinous Acts of Terrorism’: PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and offered prayers for Maulana Haqqani and the other victims. “Such cowardly and heinous acts of terrorism cannot dampen our resolve against terrorism,” he said in a statement. “[We are] resolute to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.” Times Now
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