Pakistani cleric, four others die after blast hits mosque in KP
Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) chief Hamidul Haq Haqqani and four others died after a suicide blast occurred at a mosque during Friday's prayer in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, media reports said.
The blast tore through the main prayer hall of the madressah as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers, KP Police Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed to Dawn.com.
“It was a suicide blast. Three policemen were also injured in the attack,” Hameed said.
The mesrassah is known for training Afghan Talibans.
Security officials rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies to the hospital.
An emergency has been declared across all hospitals in Peshawar.
The inspector general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police told Samaa TV that he believes Maulana Hamidul Haq was the target of the blast.
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.
The entire area has been cordoned off.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
Rescue officials said 20 people were evacuated from the spot so far.
The seminary, often referred to as the "University of Jihad", was founded by Maulana Samiul Haq, reported Samaa TV.
According to reports, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif have condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the incident and directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the attack.
The JUI spokesperson condemned the blast.
"Even mosques and madrassas are no longer safe," Aslam Ghauri told Samaa TV, blaming the government for failing to maintain peace and order.
He accused the authorities of prioritising cricket over national security.
The blast occurred at a time when Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy.
The cricket event marked the return of an ICC event to Pakistan after a gap of 29 years.
International teams stopped visiting Pakistan after gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Meet Ghazala Hashmi, first India-American Muslim to be elected as Virginia Lieutenant Governor
Amid the celebration of Zohran Mamdani's New York City Mayoral election, Indian-origin Democrat Ghazala Hashmi has won Virginia Lieutenant Governor's race, going past Republican candidate John Reid, media reports said.
From Nehru to Dhoom Machale, New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani owns his Indian roots in victory celebration
From quoting India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's quote to playing Bollywood song 'Dhoom Machale', New York City Mayoral election winner Zohran Mamdani invoked his origin in his victory speech.
Trump’s Cuomo endorsement fails! Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City’s first Indian-American Muslim Mayor
Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected as the first Indian-American Muslim mayor of New York City on Tuesday, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who had been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Horror in the air: UPS cargo plane crashes in Louisville minutes after takeoff, 7 dead
At least seven people were killed and 11 others injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in the US on Tuesday, officials said.
Latest News
Meet Ghazala Hashmi, first India-American Muslim to be elected as Virginia Lieutenant Governor
From Nehru to Dhoom Machale, New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani owns his Indian roots in victory celebration
Apple Watch users rejoice! WhatsApp's big update changes everything
Haq explores the Shah Bano case from a liberal Muslim’s perspective: Emraan Hashmi
