An explosion struck Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Friday, leaving six people dead, including former National Assembly member Maulana Hamidul Haq, according to police. Emergency teams quickly reached the site, while authorities cordoned off the area for safety and investigation.
Initial reports suggest that the explosion was a suicide bombing. The district police officer confirmed this, explaining that the blast targeted Maulana Hamidul Haq, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami. He was among those martyred in the attack, which occurred inside the seminary after the Friday prayers.
Pakistan has been grappling with an uptick in militant violence, especially in its western border regions, since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. This violence has escalated over the past year, with more than 1,500 casualties, including civilians, security forces, and militants, according to the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies.
Earlier this year, in January, security forces killed five members of the banned group Fitna Al Khawarij who attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan through the Sambaza area in Zhob district. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan persist, largely due to the presence of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan, as noted by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir last month. He highlighted the ongoing cross-border attacks as a significant issue between the two nations.
As of now, more details about the explosion at Darul Uloom Haqqania are emerging. Authorities are continuing their investigations to determine the full extent and impact of the incident.
