PESHAWAR – The terror attack on madrasa in Akora Khattak last Friday was not just another act of violence; it was a calculated strike at the heart of Pakistan’s religious and academic institutions.
The bombing at Jamia Haqqania, one of the country’s most influential seminaries, claimed the life of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani, along with ten others, leaving scores injured. The echoes of this tragedy will resonate for years, marking yet another chapter in the relentless targeting of religious scholars in Pakistan.
The Legacy of Jamia Haqqania
Founded in 1947, Jamia Haqqania started as a modest gathering under a tree. Maulana Abdul Haq, returning from Deoband, began teaching a handful of students outside his home. Over the next 77 years, the seminary grew into a powerhouse of religious scholarship, producing some of the most prominent Islamic scholars in the region. Its graduates, often called “Haqqanis,” carry the institution’s legacy with pride.
The seminary’s influence extended beyond Pakistan’s borders. It played a pivotal role in Afghan affairs, with many Afghan religious figures receiving their education here. However, this prominence also made it a target for violence, and the terror attack on madrasa in Akora Khattak is the latest in a series of deadly assaults on Islamic scholars and institutions.
A history of targeted assassinations
The assassination of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani is eerily reminiscent of his father’s fate. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, a leading figure in Pakistan’s religious and political spheres, was assassinated in 2018 in a targeted killing. Now, his son has suffered the same fate. The terror attack on madrasa is not an isolated incident. Over the past 46 years, more than 50 leading religious figures in Pakistan have been assassinated.
These killings follow a clear pattern: eliminate influential voices and create unrest. This wave of violence against scholars serves two strategic purposes: weakening religious leadership by removing respected figures and spreading fear and instability by attacking sacred spaces.
Security failures and unanswered questions
Security officials believe the attack was well-planned, raising critical questions about how a suicide bomber managed to breach the seminary’s police-guarded premises. The fact that such a high-profile religious leader could be killed despite security measures underscores Pakistan’s persistent security vulnerabilities. Despite the presence of CCTV cameras, guards, and police officers, the attacker infiltrated the madrasa. This raises concerns about security lapses and the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures. Pakistan’s security institutions must answer these questions, not just for the sake of justice, but to prevent future tragedies.
A broken forensic system
After every major terrorist attack, authorities announce that DNA samples of the attacker have been sent for testing. But Pakistan lacks a comprehensive DNA database, rendering these efforts ineffective. Without a structured forensic system, identifying and tracking attackers remains a monumental challenge. This bureaucratic response has become an empty ritual, offering no real progress in counterterrorism efforts.
The road ahead
The terror attack on madrasa in Akora Khattak should serve as a wake-up call. Pakistan cannot afford to let extremists continue targeting its religious leaders and institutions. There must be a nationwide strategy to enhance security at seminaries and religious sites, develop a functional DNA database to track attackers, and strengthen intelligence coordination to preempt attacks.
For now, the streets of Akora Khattak remain lined with mourners. The grief is fresh, the pain immeasurable. But if Pakistan does not take decisive action, tragedies like this will continue to repeat, leaving more families shattered, more institutions in ruins, and a nation increasingly vulnerable to extremism.
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