PESHAWAR- A devastating suicide explosion shook Haqqania Madrassa in Akora Khattak just after Jumma prayers, claiming the life of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq, the son of late Maulana Sami-ul-Haq and Naib Mohtamim (Deputy Administrator) of the madrassa.
More than 20 people were injured, several in critical condition.
According to Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Zulfiqar, Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq was the target of the attack. The blast, which tore through the mosque, left behind scenes of chaos and grief. Worshippers who had just finished their prayers found themselves caught in the devastation, rushing to help the injured.
Rescue teams swiftly responded, with Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for Rescue 1122, confirming that emergency services transported the wounded to nearby hospitals. Emergency measures were imposed in Nowshera and Peshawar hospitals to treat the victims.
The madrassa, known as a historical center of religious learning, now stands in mourning. Security forces have sealed the area as investigations begin, while families wait anxiously for updates on their loved ones.
Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Irfanullah Mehsud reported that Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq’s body was shifted to CMH Nowshera, while at least five fatalities have been confirmed so far.
According to officials, the bomb was planted near the mosque’s exit, a route Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq used regularly after prayers. The explosion occurred just as he was leaving for his residence.
In response to the attack, an emergency has been declared at major hospitals in Nowshera and Peshawar. The Lady Reading Hospital’s (LRH) spokesperson stated that the administration and medical teams are on high alert and fully prepared to handle the situation.
Security forces have cordoned off the area, and investigations are underway to determine the nature of the explosion and identify those responsible for the attack.
Who was Maulana Hamid -ul-Haq?
Maulana Hamid ul Haq Haqqani, who lost his life in a suicide attack at Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, was the eldest son of Maulana Samiul Haq. He was born on 26 May 1968 in Akora Khattak and pursued his religious education at the same institution founded by his grandfather.
Beyond his religious background, Maulana Hamidul Haq was also active in politics. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2007 on a ticket from Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a political alliance of religious parties. His political influence grew after the assassination of his father, Maulana Samiul Haq, in 2018, following which he became the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami) and the deputy head of Darul Uloom Haqqania.
His uncle, Maulana Anwarul Haq, currently serves as the institution’s chief administrator.Maulana Hamidul Haq came from a long line of influential religious scholars. His grandfather, Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani, was a member of the National Assembly and played an active role in politics. His father, Maulana Samiul Haq, was a senator known for his role in forming religious alliances and advocating for Afghanistan’s cause after the US invasion in 2001.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Defence of Afghanistan Council, which later evolved into MMA, a coalition that participated in the country’s elections. Both paternally and maternally, Maulana Hamidul Haq belonged to a family with a rich scholarly tradition.
His grandfather, Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani, was the founder of Darul Uloom Haqqania, while on his maternal side, he was linked to another major religious institution, Jamia Ashrafia Peshawar, founded by his father-in-law, Maulana Ashraf Ali Qureshi.
