At least 5 killed and several injured after a blast ripped through a madrassa Darul Uloom Haqqania located in Pakistan’s Akkora Khattak district, which is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to AP news agency.
Emergency responders, Rescue 1122 have arrived at the location, and law enforcement authorities have initiated their investigation into the incident.
Abdul Rashid, a district police chief said that the officers are investigating the case.
Meanwhile, rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed to Dawn that 20 people have been injured and have been taken to hospital.
The explosion took place during Friday prayers in the madrassa’s main hall, with authorities declaring an emergency in Nowshera, as confirmed by Dawn’s KP Bureau Chief, Ali Akbar.
‘Maulana Haqqani was target’: Police
Speaking to Samaa TV, KP’s 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,” the KP IG told Samaa TV.
Maulana Haqqani, who leads JUI-S as its chief, is the firstborn of the late Maulana Samiul Haq. His credentials include being a political figure and Islamic academic, with a tenure in the National Assembly spanning from November 2002 to 2007. Following his father’s tragic death, he assumed the roles of vice chancellor at Jamia Darul Uloon Haqqania and chairman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami).
The madressah was established by Islamic scholar Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani in September 1947, according to the institution’s website.
Previously, the Madrassa faced scrutiny when its students were alleged to be involved in former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. However, the madrassa has consistently denied any links to the suspects.
‘Cowardly and heinous acts of terrorism’: PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a firm condemnation of the incident and offered prayers for Maulana Haq and other casualties’ recovery, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Office.
He instructed authorities to provide excellent medical care to the wounded individuals and requested a detailed incident report.
“Such cowardly and heinous acts of terrorism cannot dampen our resolve against terrorism,” the PM said. “[We are] resolute to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.”
This is a developing story
