ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A blast during Friday prayers at Darul Uloom Haqqania, a well-known pro-Taliban seminary in Akora Khattak, killed at least five people and injured 13 others, according to local authorities.
Hamidul Haq, the chief patron of the seminary and son of its founder, Samiul Haq, was among those injured. Police officials said he appeared to be the target of what they believe was a suicide attack. He was reported to be in critical condition.
Security personnel had been deployed at the seminary due to existing threats, officials said, and the area has since been cordoned off. Emergency responders have transported the wounded to nearby hospitals, and authorities have declared an emergency across medical facilities in Peshawar.
Darul Uloom Haqqania, often referred to as the “University of Jihad,” has long been associated with the Taliban. Founded by Samiul Haq, who was killed in 2018, the seminary has been known for producing militant leaders, including figures in the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistani leaders condemned the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for urgent medical assistance for the injured and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. President Asif Ali Zardari labeled the attack on worshippers a “brutal and unforgivable crime” and described the perpetrators as “enemies of the country, the nation, and humanity.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur directed authorities to investigate the incident and ensure the best medical care for the injured. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz denounced the attack as “open terrorism” and vowed that Pakistan would remain united in its fight against militancy.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) spokesperson Aslam Ghauri criticized the government’s security measures, accusing authorities of prioritizing cricket over national security. “Even mosques and madrassas are no longer safe,” he said.
The attack underscores the persistent threat of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province long plagued by militant activity. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, and investigations are ongoing.
