Six Dead in Suicide Attack at Infamous 'University of Jihad' in Pakistan

At least six individuals lost their lives in a devastating suicide bombing that rocked the Darul Uloom Haqqania, a well-known Islamic seminary situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, approximately 55 kilometers from Peshawar. The tragic incident occurred inside the mosque of the seminary, often referred to as the "University of Jihad" due to its historical affiliations with the Taliban. Among the deceased is Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, the influential head of the school. Authorities reported that more than 10 others sustained injuries in the blast, which took place after Friday prayers as congregants gathered to greet Hamid ul-Haq.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that hundreds were present in the main hall during the explosion, raising concerns about the potential for even more casualties. "Initial reports suggest the blast occurred as people were gathering," remarked Abdul Rasheed, the district police chief. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, investigations are underway. The Darul Uloom Haqqania has produced significant figures in militant movements, including Jalaluddin Haqqani, who founded the notorious Haqqani Network. Both Haq and his father, known as the "Father of the Taliban," maintained strong connections with Taliban leadership but were not directly involved in anti-state activities.

Politicians in Pakistan, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the violent act, with the Pakistani Taliban praising Haq as a "preacher of truth" and a critical figure in madrassa stability.