Islamabad, February 28 (HS): At least five people were killed in a suicide bomb blast in a mosque in Pakistan on Friday. These include Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq (JUI-S) leader Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani. The incident took place in the mosque of Darul Uloom Haqqaniya Madrasa complex in Akora Khattak town of Nowshera district of the troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The provincial government confirmed that five Namazis, including JUI-S leader Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani, were killed in the blast. More than 20 Namazis were injured in the blast.
According to The News, officials have said that the death toll is expected to rise. Akora Khattak town is located about 60 kilometers (35 miles) east of Peshawar. All the worshippers were coming out after Friday prayers at the historic madrasa mosque here, when suddenly a bomb exploded. Hamid, who was killed in the blast, is the son of Maulana Sami-ul-Haq Haqqani. He was the target of terrorists.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said that Maulana Hamid, Deputy Administrator of Darul Uloom Haqqania and Amir of JUI-S, who was bleeding in the blast, died during treatment. Police teams are present at the blast site and a search operation has been started in the vicinity. The top police officer said that this was the last Friday prayers before Ramadan.
Officials say that the administration and medical staff of Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar have been put on alert. This hospital is about 45 minutes away from the spot. Darul Uloom Haqqaniya is one of the largest madrassas in the country. According to the top police official, four bodies have been kept at Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex. The injured are undergoing treatment. Hamid’s body is at Nowshera CMH.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the blast and called it a tragic and reprehensible act. He has sought a detailed report from the officials. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) spokesperson Aslam Gauri condemned the blast and said that it is very sad. He appealed to the party workers to donate blood.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
