2025 Darul Uloom Haqqania bombing

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2025 Darul Uloom Haqqania bombing
Part of Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Darul Uloom Haqqania.jpeg
Interior of the seminary after attack
Location Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary, Akora Khattak, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates 34°00′00″N72°07′17″E / 34.00000°N 72.12139°E / 34.00000; 72.12139
Date28 February 2025
14:00 (PKT)
Target Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani
Attack type
 Suicide bombing
Weapons Explosive belt
Deaths8 (including the perpetrator) [1]
Injured20 [2]
PerpetratorIslamic State flag.svg Islamic State – Khorasan Province (suspected) [3]

On February 28, 2025, a suicide bombing occurred at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Akora Khattak, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The attack took place during Friday prayers, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people, including the prominent cleric and head of the seminary, Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani. Additionally, approximately 20 others sustained injuries. [4] [5]

Contents

Background

Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, born on May 26, 1968, was an Islamic scholar and politician. He served as a member of Pakistan's National Assembly from 2002 to 2007 and led the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) party following the assassination of his father Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, in 2018. The Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary is renowned for its historical significance and its role in educating many Afghan Taliban leaders. The institution has been a focal point in regional religious and political dynamics. [6]

Bombing

The attack occurred following Friday prayers at a mosque inside the Darul Uloom Haqqania compound. The attacker was believed to have entered the building through a side gate and walked up to Haq while prayers were being offered. [7] [8] At least eight people, including Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani, who was leaving the mosque, [9] and six worshippers, were killed while dozens were injured, including three police officers tasked with guarding the compound. [10] [11] Three people were in critical condition, while an Afghan national was also among the fatalities. [12]

Aftermath

The bombing occurred just before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, a period traditionally marked by heightened religious observances. The attack was condemned by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other national leaders. Both the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban also condemned the attack, while Haqqani's family appealed to his followers to remain peaceful. [9] The Afghan interior ministry blamed the attack on Islamic State, [12] with suspicions falling on Islamic State – Khorasan Province. [13] [14]

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities initiated an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. [15] Authorities issued a photo of the alleged suicide bomber and offered a reward of 500,000 rupees ($1,787) for information regarding him. [16]

Haqqani's funeral was held at the main hall of Darul Uloom Haqqania on 1 March, with thousands in attendance amid heavy security provided by police and students. [16]

Reactions

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan sent condolences and condemned the violence, stressing the importance of the safety of scholars in the region and putting emphasis on the loss of an important scholar. [17]

The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Peshawar issued a press release condemning the attack and expressing condolences, as well as reiterating the stance of the Iranian government that continuous bilateral and regional cooperation is needed to effectively combat the threat of terrorism. [18]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Top cleric, six worshippers killed in suicide bomb attack at seminary in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". The New Indian Express . 28 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  2. ↑ "At least 5 killed, 20 injured in a blast at pro-Taliban seminary in Pakistan". Times of India. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  3. ↑ Hussain, Abid. "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera . Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Pakistan: Top cleric, 4 others killed after bomb blast during Friday prayer at madrassa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". The Times of India. 28 February 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "5 Killed, 20 Injured In Blast At Mosque During Friday Prayers In Pakistan". NDTV. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Pakistani cleric close to Taliban killed in mosque blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 injured". Firstpost. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Suicide bombing at Pakistan Islamic seminary kills six, including Taliban-linked cleric". Reuters . 28 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "JUI-S chief among four martyred in blast at Darul Uloom Haqqania, Nowshera". The Express Tribune. 28 February 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Suicide bomb at a seminary in northwest Pakistan kills top cleric and 5 others ahead of Ramadan". AP News. 28 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera. 28 February 2025.
  11. ↑ Umar Bacha; Manzoor Ali; Tahir Khan; Zahid Imdad (28 February 2025). "JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq among 6 dead in Nowshera madressah suicide blast; 15 injured". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Suicide blast at Taliban religious school in Pakistan kills six". France 24. 28 February 2025.
  13. ↑ Hussain, Abid (28 February 2025). "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera News . Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  14. ↑ Gul, Ayaz (28 February 2025). "Suicide bombing at Pakistan religious seminary kills senior cleric, others". VOA News . Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  15. ↑ "Bomb Blast at a Mosque in Pakistan Kills Five, Injures Dozens". Munsif Daily. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  16. 1 2 Khan, Riaz (2 March 2025). "Thousands of mourners attend funeral of Taliban-linked cleric killed in Pakistan suicide blast". AP News . Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  17. ↑ "Islamic Emirate's Condolence Message on the martyrdom of the Deputy Administrator of Darul Uloom Haqqania". Al Emarah. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  18. ↑ "Condolence of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Peshawar". Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Peshawar. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
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