**The attack, taking place at a mosque shortly after Friday prayers, highlights the ongoing violence surrounding religious institutions in Pakistan**
**Tragic Attack at Notorious Islamic Seminary Claims Lives**
**Tragic Attack at Notorious Islamic Seminary Claims Lives**
**A suicide bombing at Pakistan's Darul Uloom Haqqania leaves six dead, including prominent cleric**
At least six individuals lost their lives in a suicide bombing at the Darul Uloom Haqqania, an Islamic seminary often referred to as the "University of Jihad," located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, roughly 55 kilometers from Peshawar. Among the deceased is Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, a significant cleric and head of the institution.
Local police reported that the blast occurred within the mosque post-Friday prayers, injuring over ten others as many congregants were present in the main hall. Khuzaima Sami, Haq's son, expressed concern over potential high casualties amidst the chaos.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, which comes at a sensitive time as preparations for the Ramadan season are underway. Abdul Rasheed, the district police chief, indicated that early assessments suggest attendees were gathering to greet Hamid ul-Haq at the time the explosion occurred.
The Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary is notorious for its links to the Taliban, having supported numerous figures, including Mullah Omar—its trainer and founder. It has produced many influential leaders in the Taliban's history, including Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the Haqqani Network.
Hamid ul-Haq, aged 57, succeeded his father, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, after his assassination in 2018. The elder Haq was a well-known facilitator of Pakistan's relations with Taliban leadership, pivotal in negotiations between various factions. Despite their affiliations, both father and son maintained their roles of intermediary rather than direct involvement in hostility against the state.
In response to the bombing, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif issued condemnations, as did the Pakistani Taliban, who mourned Haq’s death, praising him as a teacher and advocate for educational stability. The attack underscores the persistent threats faced by religious institutions in the region amidst ongoing political and militant tensions.
