Peshawar, February 28 – A devastating suicide bombing at a seminary in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province claimed the lives of prominent cleric Hamidul Haq Haqqani and four worshippers during Friday prayers, leaving 20 others injured. The attack occurred at Madrassa-e-Haqqania in Akora Khattak town of Nowshera district, authorities confirmed.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah verified the death of Haqqani, who was the head of his faction of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) and the caretaker of the seminary. The attack comes just days before the holy month of Ramazan, raising concerns over security in the restive province.
Cleric Targeted in Suicide Attack
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed stated that initial investigations suggest a suicide bomber carried out the attack, with Haqqani as the likely target. “We had deployed six security guards for his protection,” he added.District Police Officer (DPO) Abdur Rasheed confirmed that the explosion took place during the weekly Jumma prayers, a time when mosques are usually crowded with worshippers.
Legacy of Madrassa-e-Haqqania
Founded by Maulana Abdul Haq, Madrassa-e-Haqqania is a renowned Islamic seminary aligned with the Hanafi Deobandi school of Sunni Islam. Often referred to as the "University of Jihad," it has produced several key figures linked to the Taliban, including former leader Akhtar Mansour.Emergency Response and Government Reaction
Rescue teams swiftly arrived at the site, transporting casualties to nearby hospitals in Nowshera and Peshawar, where an emergency was declared. In response, leaders of JUI urged citizens to donate blood for the injured victims.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack, ordering an in-depth investigation and promising that all resources would be used to bring the perpetrators to justice. "This is an inhuman act of terrorism that has targeted innocent people in a place of worship," he stated.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also denounced the bombing, calling it an "open act of terrorism" and assuring that Pakistan will remain steadfast in its fight against extremism. She prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and expressed solidarity with the victims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called the attack a “conspiracy of forces hostile to Islam and Pakistan” and demanded a comprehensive report on the incident. He criticized the provincial government for its failure to maintain security.
JUI Blames Government for Security Lapses
JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghauri expressed deep regret over the attack, lamenting that even mosques and madrassas are no longer safe. He blamed authorities for prioritizing cricket over national security, calling on the government to take stronger action against terrorist threats.As investigations continue, the attack has intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly as the country prepares for the sacred month of Ramazan.