Former member of National Assembly Maulana Hamidul Haq was among seven killed after an explosion ripped through Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera on Friday, police said.

The explosion took place inside the seminary after Friday prayers, according to the city police officer. The attack targeted Maulana Hamidul Haq, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said.

He confirmed the death of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami’s head, Maulana Hamidul Haq, to reporters. The KP IGP added that it was a suicide blast.

Emergency response teams have arrived at the scene while police have cordoned off the area for safety and investigation.

More than 20 people were injured, rescue officials said. An emergency has been declared in all hospitals in Peshawar.

Witnesses said that a portion of the mosque was damaged due to the blast.

Maulana Hamidul Haq took over the reins of the party after his father, Maulana Samiul Haq, was assassinated in 2018. Sami was stabbed multiple times at his residence in Rawalpindi.

According to the seminary’s website, Darul Uloom Haqqania was established by Islamic scholar Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani in September 1947.

The institution has been embroiled in controversy over the years, particularly due to allegations that some of its students were linked to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. But the madrassa has denied any association with the individuals accused in the case.

Notable alumni from Darul Uloom Haqqania include prominent Taliban figures such as Amir Khan Muttaqi, Abdul Latif Mansoor, Maulvi Ahmad Jan, Mullah Jalaludin Haqani, Maulvi Qalamudin, Arifullah Arif, and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, according to the BBC.

Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.

Last year saw casualties hit a six-year high, with more than 1,500 civilians, security forces and militants killed, according to the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies.

The security forces killed five terrorists belonging to the banned Fitna Al Khawarij on the night of January 18-19 who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the general area of Sambaza, Zhob district.

Last month, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir stated that the main issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan stem from the presence of the banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Afghanistan and ongoing cross-border attacks.

Condemnations

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the blast and expressed his sorrow over the terrorist attack. “Terrorists are the enemies of the country and humanity,” he said in a statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the explosion at the Darul Uloom Haqqania and expressed his hopes for the swift recovery of Maulana Haq and the other injured individuals, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Such cowardly and heinous acts of terrorism cannot dampen our resolve against terrorism,” the PM said. “[We are] resolute to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.”

The Prime Minister has instructed that the injured receive the best possible medical care and has requested a detailed report on the incident.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi “strongly condemned” the explosion at Darul Uloom Haqqania, expressing profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life.

In a post on X, he extended sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the incident, demanding an “immediate report” from authorities. In his statement, the chief minister urged officials to ensure timely rescue operations for the injured and to provide them with the best medical care available.

“Attacking innocent individuals in a place of worship is an inhumane act,” he stated and added that all available resources must be utilised to bring those responsible for this tragic event to justice.

Fitnal Khawarij behind suicide attack: security sources

Banned terrorist organization Fitnal Khawarij was behind the Nowshwera madressah suicide attack, security sources said.

Preliminary reports indicate that the suicide bombing was carried out by terrorists associated with the Khawarij.

In the recent past, Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani “took a clear and firm stance on women’s education” during a conference organized by the Muslim World League. He declared that preventing women from receiving education was against Islamic principles. After this, he reportedly received threats.

Details regarding the nature and impact of the explosion are still emerging as authorities work to assess the situation.