PAKISTAN: A powerful explosion hit the Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa in Pakistan’s Akkora Khattak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least five people and injuring 20 others, according to local media reports.
Emergency responders from Rescue 1122 quickly arrived at the scene, while police started their investigation. District police chief Abdul Rashid confirmed that authorities are looking into the incident.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi told Dawn News that 20 injured people have been taken to the hospital for treatment. The blast happened in the madrassa’s main hall during Friday prayers. Following the explosion, an emergency was declared in Nowshera, according to Dawn’s KP Bureau Chief, Ali Akbar.
Police Say Maulana Haqqani Was the Target
KP’s Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed told Samaa TV that initial investigations suggest the explosion was a suicide attack. He said, “Some people have lost their lives and some are injured.
He also mentioned that Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani was likely the target. Maulana Haqqani, the leader of JUI-S, is the son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq. He is a well-known political and religious figure, having served in Pakistan’s National Assembly from 2002 to 2007. After his father’s assassination, he became the vice chancellor of Jamia Darul Uloom Haqqania and chairman of
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami).
The madrassa was founded in September 1947 by Islamic scholar Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani. In the past, it has faced scrutiny after some of its students were accused of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. However, the madrassa has always denied any connection to the suspects.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Condemn Attack
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack. He expressed his condolences and prayed for Maulana Haqqani and the other victims. He also directed officials to ensure the injured receive the best medical care and asked for a detailed report on the incident.
“Terrorist acts like this will not weaken our fight against terrorism,” the Prime Minister said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, calling it a tragic event. In a post on social media X, the ministry expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the victims’ families. “The enemy is trying to destabilize our country with such brutal attacks,” the post read.