Noshehra (Web Desk): At least seven people people, including JJamiat Ulema-e-Islam Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, were killed and several others injured in a suicide blast at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Nowshera district, according to government and police officials.
The blast occurred shortly after Friday prayers inside the mosque located within the seminary compound, and authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide attack.
Initial reports suggest that Maulana Haqqani was specifically targeted in the attack, as the bomber made his way into the mosque through a side entrance while the congregation was engaged in prayer.
Zulfiqar Hameed, the Inspector General of KP, confirmed that around a dozen individuals were injured in addition to the fatalities, and emergency teams were dispatched to the scene to provide immediate assistance.
In response to the explosion, rescue workers and security personnel were quickly deployed to transport the victims to local hospitals.
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar was put on high alert, with staff on standby to handle the expected influx of casualties. Authorities have begun a detailed investigation into the bombing, although the situation remains tense.
Maulana Haqqani's death marks another painful chapter in a string of attacks on religious leaders, following the earlier assassination of his father, Maulana Samiul Haq, who had been a prominent JUI-S leader.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the suicide explosion at the Jamia Mosque of Darul Uloom Haqqania, Akora Khattak.
In a statement, the expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the terrorist incident.
“Targeting innocent worshippers is a despicable and heinous act. He said terrorists are the foes of the nation, country and the humanity,” he said.
President Zardari prayed for the higher status in heaven for the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the explosion at Darul Uloom Haqqania, Akora Khattak.
In a statement, he also expressed grief over the martyrdom of JUI (S) Chief Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq in the incident.
He prayed for higher status for the martyrs and commiserated with the bereaved families.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly condemned the blast in the mosque of Darul Uloom Haqqania Akora Khattak.
He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq along with others in the tragic incident.
Mohsin Naqvi extended heartfelt condolences to the families of Maulana Hamidul Haq and other martyrs.
The interior minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He paid tribute to the religious services of Maulana Hamidul Haq and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and his devotees in this hour of grief.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that no words are enough to condemn this tragic incident.
"The enemy is carrying out heinous conspiracies to destabilize the country, but with the support of the nation, every conspiracy of the enemy will be foiled," Naqvi said.
The interior minister assured that the government stands by the families of the martyrs and the injured and will provide all possible assistance.
