A blast was reported in the mosque of the famous seminary of Pakistan Dar-ul-Uloom Haqania, located in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, today during the Friday prayer.
As per initial police report, several people were injured in the explosion. According to unverified reports, four people were killed while Hamidul Haq, the head of the seminary and son of Maulana Saimi ul Haq, was also critically injured.
As per initial reports, it was a suicide attack that occurred at the main hall of the mosque. According to police, five people, including Hamid-ul-Haq, are critically injured.
Inspector General (IG) Khaber Pakhtunkhwa Police, has confirmed two deaths while saying that the main target was Haq. Emergency has been declared in the hospitals of Nowshehra and Peshawar.
This was the last Friday prayer before Ramadan, drawing a large crowd of the worshippers. The mosque is located inside the compound of the madrassa, whose students were set to go on leave, as it marked the final day of their academic year.
Security arrangements at the mosque include the presence of several policemen and a police mobile van, while seminary workers monitor visitors.
The mosque is situated at the centre of Dar-ul-Uloom Haqqania, with Dar-ul-Hadees adjacent to it. It is a large building where senior students pursue their studies. Nearby, there are hostels and residential quarters, where Maulana Samiul Haq and his sons reside.
Darul Uloom Haqqania, located in the town of Akora Khattak, is one of the country’s largest seminaries, with thousands of students enrolled. The annual or semester break occurs during Ramadan, which is to begin tomorrow.
