The Khyber Pakhtunkha Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) announced a monetary award for information on the unidentified suicide bomber responsible for the deadly attack against a seminar in the Nowara district.
Maulana Hamidul Haqqani, son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq and head of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-S), was one of six victims who died on Friday in the Darul Uloom Haqqania.
18 additional people were injured when the bomber exploded explosives after the Friday prayer congregation.
A vision of people gathering like the funeral of the head of Jui Maulana Hamidul Haqqani is held in Darul Uloom Haqqania. PHOTO GAPULTY: AP
On Saturday, thousands of mourning people gathered for the Haq funeral to Jamia Haqqania, the seminar where he was the chef. The bombing, which specifically targeted Haq, also killed six others.
Haq, the son of Maulana Samiul Haq, who was murdered in 2018, was an eminent figure in the religious and political landscape of Pakistan. This bombing is part of a series of four attacks across Pakistan on the same day, two of which occurred in mosques, which raises concerns about the moment just before Ramadan.
A first information report (FIR) was submitted by Haq’s son, Maulana Abdulhaq Sani, who was also injured in the attack. The FIR, filed with the Mardan du CTD police station, includes accusations under the anti-terrorism law, as well as other sections of the Pakistan Criminal Code.
The authorities have published a photograph of the alleged suicide bomber and offer a reward of 500,000 rupees (approximately $ 1,787) for information leading to the identification of the attacker. They are looking for details on the name, parentage and place of residence of the Bombardier.
People cry the death of the head of Jui-s Maulana Hamidul Haqqani, one of the six victims killed in the suicide attack on Darul Uloom Haqqania on Friday. Photo: AFP
A declaration by the KP police assured that the identity of any informant would remain confidential. The public can contact the authorities via numbers 0315-9135456 and 091-9212591.
Haq funerals took place at the seminar, with mourning people filling the main hall and spreading in the street. Thanks to a strong police presence and the protection provided by the students of the seminar, the prayers went peacefully without incidents.
Life of Maulana Hamidul Haqqani
Maulana Hamidul Haqqani, deputy chief of Darul Uloom Haqqania and son of the late religious leader Maulana Samiul Haq, was born on May 26, 1968 in Akora Khattak.
He received his religious education in Darul Uloom Haqqania, the same institution where his paternal uncle, Maulana Anwar-Ul-Haq Haqqani, was the chief.
The grandfather of Maulana Hamidul Haqqani, Maulana Abdul Haqqani, was the founder of Jamaat-E-Lema Pakistan, a leading political figure and a former member of the National Assembly.
His father, Maulana Samiul Haq, was a member of the Senate and played a central role in the formation of new religious alliances in Pakistan.
A student from Darul Uloom Haqqania Seminary in Akora Khattak is seen by leaving the institution on October 19, 2020. Photo: AFP
Hamidul Haqqani played a decisive role in the creation of the United Majlis-Emal, a coalition of religious parties. In 2001, following the American invasion of Afghanistan, he founded the Afghan Defense Council, which then became the MMA, a key political alliance of religious groups.
In 2002, Hamidul Haqqani was elected member of the National Assembly (MNA) of Nowshera, where he represented his constituency until 2007.
After the tragic assassination of his father in 2018, Hamidul Haqqani took over the management of Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and became the deputy chief of Darul Uloom Haqqania.
