A suicide bombing at the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Pakistan has resulted in six fatalities, including a key cleric. The attack, linked to the seminary's controversial history with the Taliban, occurred after Friday prayers, prompting national outrage and a police investigation.
Suicide Attack Claims Six Lives at Pakistan's Notorious Seminary
Suicide Attack Claims Six Lives at Pakistan's Notorious Seminary
A blast at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leaves six dead, including prominent cleric Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, amid rising fears of violence ahead of Ramadan.
A tragic suicide attack at the Darul Uloom Haqqania, infamously known as the "University of Jihad," has left at least six people dead, including the prominent cleric Maulana Hamid ul-Haq. The attack took place within the mosque of this esteemed Islamic seminary located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, approximately 55 kilometers from Peshawar, following Friday prayers.
Local police indicated that over ten individuals sustained injuries amidst the chaos, as a significant crowd was gathered inside the hall during the explosion. Khuzaima Sami, Haq's son, expressed fears of potentially high casualties due to the large number of attendees present at the time.
Preliminary reports suggest that the blast may have been timed to coincide with the congregational prayers, as local authorities noted that individuals were assembling to greet Maulana Hamid ul-Haq shortly before the explosion. An investigation has since been initiated to ascertain further details on the incident.
The Darul Uloom Haqqania holds a notorious reputation due to its historical connections with the Taliban, having trained several influential figures including the group’s founder, Mullah Omar. It is regarded as one of the region's foremost centers of Islamic learning and has produced notable alumni linked to militant activities.
Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, aged 57, was well-known in both religious and political circles, taking over leadership of the seminary following the assassination of his father, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, in 2018. He was also affiliated with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) political party, serving as a former member of Pakistan's National Assembly.
Notably, while Haq and his father had significant ties to the Taliban leadership, they remained uninvolved in direct anti-state actions, often acting as mediators between the Pakistani government and militants.
The attack has drawn condemnation from high-profile figures, including Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, along with expressions of mourning from the Pakistani Taliban, who referred to Haq as a "preacher of truth and a compassionate teacher."
