Blast at Pro-Taliban Seminary in Pakistan Kills 5, Injures 20

A powerful bomb blast at a pro-Taliban seminary in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday killed a senior cleric and four other worshippers while injuring around 20 others. According to local police, the seminary is known for training Afghan Taliban leaders.

Hamidul Haq, the leader of a faction of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) party, was among those killed. He was the son of Maulana Samiul Haq, who was often called the “father of the Taliban” and was assassinated in a knife attack at his home in 2018. Haq’s family confirmed his death in Friday’s attack and urged his followers to stay calm. He also led the Jamia Haqqania seminary, a well-known institution where many Afghan Taliban members had studied over the past two decades.

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Police officials are currently investigating the matter and no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack inside Jamia Haqqania, a seminary which is known for links with the Afghan Taliban.

Speaking to Samaa TV, KP's Inspector General, Zulfiqar Hameed, said, "It appears to be a suicide blast, as per initial investigations. Some are injured and some are among the martyrs."

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and directed officials to provide the best medical care for the injured. The provincial police chief stated that over a dozen police officers were stationed at the mosque for security at the time of the attack, and Haq’s seminary also had its security arrangements.

A local police officer said the seminary is in the Nowshera area of the province. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The bombing happened just before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is likely to begin on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the sighting of the moon.

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