Nowshera: An explosion of the Darul Uloom Haqqania mosque in Akora Khattak killed at least four and injured 12, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa General Police Inspector (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed told PK Press Club News on Friday.
The explosion would have taken place during Friday prayer in the front row while people gathered for a weekly congregation at the mosque in the Dar-Ul-Uloom Haqqania, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) east of Peshawar.
The sprawling campus is home to approximately 4,000 feeding, dressed and educated students for free.
In response, the administration and medical staff at Peshawar Reading Hospital (LRH) – about 45 minutes from the explosion site – were invited to stay prepared to treat the injured.
The hospital spokesman said that a high alert and an emergency had been declared in the medical center to cope with any situation.
IGP Hameed confirmed that the explosion won the life of Maulana Hamidul Haqqani, the emir of Jamiat Ulema-Elam-Sami (JUI) and the vice-administer of Jamia Darul Uloom Haqqania.
He said it was a targeted attack, a suicide bombardment according to the first reports. According to the IGP, reports of three to four deaths have been received so far, while 10 to 12 people had been injured.
The official also declared that police teams were present on the explosion site and that an excavation was also underway in the surrounding area. Legal and investigation teams had been sent to the incident site and the district police officer was also present, IGP said.
It was the last prayer on Friday before Ramadan, attracting a large crowd of the faithful. The mosque is located inside the Madrassa complex, whose students had to go on leave, because it marked the last day of their academic year.
Mosque’s safety arrangements include the presence of several police officers and a mobile police van, while seminar workers monitor visitors.
The mosque is located in the center of Dar-Uul-Uloom Haqqania, with adjacent Dar-Ul-Hades. It is a large building where senior students continue their studies. Nearby, there are hostels and residential neighborhoods, where Maulana Samiul Haq and her sons reside.
In particular, Maulana Anwarul Haq, the director of the seminar, is the brother of Maulana Fazlul Haq.
Darul Uloom Haqqania, located in the city of Akora Khattak, is one of the largest seminars in the country, with thousands of registered students. The annual or semester break occurs during Ramadan, which should start tomorrow.
Convictions flock
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur firmly condemned the explosion, calling it a tragic and deplorable act.
He ordered the authorities to conduct an in -depth investigation into all aspects of the incident and to submit a full report.
The chief minister also asked officials to provide the best possible medical care for the injured.
“Targeting innocent people in a place of worship is an inhuman act,” said Gandapur, adding that no word was enough to condemn such an attack.
He stressed that all the available resources should be used to translate the perpetrators into court.
In a statement, Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, condemning the suicide explosion, said the incident to Akora Khattak was deeply tragic.
He urged party workers and volunteers to extend full cooperation in help efforts. Ghauri also called on the Jeu-F members to give as much blood as possible for the wounded.
“We pray that the martyrs get the highest ranks in the afterlife,” added Ghauri.
This is a story in development and is updated with more details.
