The tragic blast, which occurred during Friday prayers, has killed at least six people, including the prominent cleric Maulana Hamid ul-Haq. The seminary is notorious for its ties to the Taliban, raising questions about its future amidst ongoing violence.
Suicide Bombing at Pakistan's Notorious 'University of Jihad' Claims Six Lives
Suicide Bombing at Pakistan's Notorious 'University of Jihad' Claims Six Lives
A devastating suicide attack at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in northern Pakistan results in multiple casualties, raising concerns over security and violence in the region.
At least six people lost their lives in a suicide bombing at the Darul Uloom Haqqania, an Islamic seminary in northern Pakistan often referred to as the "University of Jihad." The attack took place within the mosque of the madrassa, located approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, the influential head of the seminary, was among the deceased, along with over ten others who sustained injuries from the blast. This seminary has a well-known association with the Taliban, being a training ground for several of the group's members, including its founder, Mullah Omar.
With no group claiming responsibility as of yet, the timing of the attack, occurring just before the onset of Ramadan, adds a layer of tension in the region. The explosion was reported to have happened after Friday prayers, as attendees were congregating to greet Haq.
Khuzaima Sami, Haq's son, expressed his fears about the potential for further casualties given the high number of people present during the blast. Local police chief Abdul Rasheed stated that initial reports indicated the explosion was linked to the congregation's moment of greeting after prayers.
The Darul Uloom Haqqania is regarded as a significant center for Islamic education, closely associated with the Deoband school of thought. Among its notable alumni are figures such as Jalaluddin Haqqani and his son Sirajuddin, who have played pivotal roles in the Taliban's insurgency strategies.
Haq, who took over the seminary's leadership after his father's assassination in 2018, maintained a complex relationship with both the Taliban and the Pakistani government, often acting as a mediator rather than an active opponent. He was viewed as a crucial figure in negotiating terms between the two entities.
In the aftermath of the attack, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif denounced the violence. The Pakistani Taliban, while condemning the incident, described Haq as a noble educator devoted to stabilizing religious institutions.
