Top Haqqania seminary leader among 6 killed in Nowshera suicide attack

At least six people, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq (JUI-S) emir Maulana Hamid Ul Haq, were killed and 12 others injured when an explosion ripped through Darul Uloom Haqqania in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Inspector General Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed said.

As per the details, the explosion at the seminary’s mosque occurred in the front rows during Friday prayers that attract a large number of worshippers every week.

The top cop said that the blast claimed the life of the historic seminary’s Vice Administrator Haq while his son, Sani Haqqani, was said to be in critical condition. Citing initial reports, he added that it appeared to be a suicide bombing targeting the top religious leader.

The mosque is located at the heart of Akora Khattak’s Dar Ul Uloom Haqqania with Dar Ul Hadith situated next to it. It is a large building where senior students carry out their studies. In the vicinity, there also are hostels and residential quarters, including those of Haq and his sons.

The explosion, that comes a day before the seminary’s annual break during Ramzan has, been draw widespread condemnations, including one from KP Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, who termed it a deplorable act.

The KP CM ordered authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the incident and submit a comprehensive report besides ensuring the best possible medical care for the wounded.

“Targeting innocent people in a place of worship is an inhumane act,” he said and emphasised that all available resources should be utilised to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said that the incident in Akora Khattak was deeply tragic. “We pray for the martyrs to be granted the highest ranks in the hereafter.”

It merits a mention that Haq was the son of influential religious scholar and former senator Maulana Samiul Haq, who was killed in Rawalpindi in 2018.

The news of his death had come at a sensitive time with religio-political parties out on the streets protesting the Supreme Court's acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, in a blasphemy case.

The chief of his own faction of the JUI, Sami was unable to take part in the protest that was underway against Bibi’s acquittal due to road blockades and had returned home. His driver/gunman had left the house for approximately 15 minutes when he was stabbed.

Yousaf Shah, the maulana's spokesman, had said the attacker's identity and their motive were not immediately known.

With police starting an investigation into the killing, they had arrested Sami’s secretary Syed Ahmed Shah on murder charges.

A senior police official had told media that the arrest came about after the police investigating team examined Shah’s first and last statements, which were conflicting.