The recent suicide bombing during Friday prayers at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has left six dead, including a prominent cleric, amid concerns over extremist links and security.
Suicide Blast Claims Lives at Notorious 'University of Jihad' in Pakistan
Suicide Blast Claims Lives at Notorious 'University of Jihad' in Pakistan
A deadly suicide attack at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in northern Pakistan has resulted in six fatalities, drawing attention to the institution's controversial history.
A suicide attack at the Darul Uloom Haqqania, often referred to as the "University of Jihad," has tragically claimed the lives of at least six individuals in northern Pakistan. The attack, which occurred on a Friday during mosque prayers at the seminary located approximately 55 kilometers from Peshawar, also injured over ten others, according to local police reports.
The prominent cleric Maulana Hamid ul-Haq, who served as the head of the seminary, is among those who lost their lives in the explosion. His son, Khuzaima Sami, shared the grief as he emphasized the chaotic scene, noting that hundreds were present when the blast erupted, leading to fears of additional casualties.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, which has not yet been claimed by any group, although it coincided with the approaching holy month of Ramadan. Abdul Rasheed, the district police chief, confirmed that the bombing occurred shortly after prayers when attendees were gathering to greet Hamid ul-Haq.
The Darul Uloom Haqqania is historically significant, known for its links to the Taliban and figures such as Mullah Omar, who trained there. This institution, considered a major educational center for clerics, is an affiliate of the Deobandi school of thought—a movement with considerable influence in South Asia. Noteworthy alumni include Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the militant Haqqani Network.
Hamid ul-Haq, aged 57, succeeded his father, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, revered as the "Father of the Taliban," following his assassination in 2018. Despite their close ties to the Taliban, the ul-Haq family has generally distanced itself from anti-state actions, serving instead as mediators between the Taliban and the Pakistani government.
In light of the incident, prominent political figures such as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif have condemned the act of violence. The Pakistani Taliban has also expressed its condolences, labeling Hamid ul-Haq a "preacher of truth" and a vital supporter of the seminaries' stability.
