Nowshera blast: JUI-S leader Maulana Hamid Ul Haq amongst six dead

PESHAWAR: JUI-S leader Maulana Hamid Ul Haq, son of Maulana Samiul Haq is amongst the six who have been killed in the blast that rocked Madrassah Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Nowshera after Friday prayers.

Maulana Hamid’s death was confirmed by IG Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Zulfiqar, who had earlier stated that his condition was critical.

At least 20 people have been injured and emergency has been declared in all hospitals in Nowshera.

Abdul Rasheed, the district police chief, told AFP the explosion left six dead including the suicide bomber and 16 injured, three of whom are in a critical condition.

An Afghan national is among the dead, Rasheed said.

Maulana Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani was a Pakistani politician and Islamic scholar who served as a member of the 12th National Assembly of Pakistan from 16 November 2002 until 10 October 2007, when he resigned in protest. He also contested 2013 elections on PTI’s ticket.

He became chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) party after Maulana Sami ul Haq’s assassination in 2018, when the senior leader was stabbed to death at his residence in Rawalpindi in 2018.

The area has been cordoned off by the security, while the nature of the explosion is yet to be determined. Initial reports however indicate could be a suicide attack, according to the police. Rescue teams have reached the scene, according to DPO Nowshera.

No group has yet claimed responsibility of the attack.

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Information on casualties and property damage could not be ascertained, police sources say. Around 11 ambulances have been sent to the site where rescue work has now commenced.

Condemnations pour in

Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minster Shahbaz Sharif have condemned the explosion at a madrassah in Akora Khattak Nowshera. They also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of Maulana Hamid Ul Haq and other martyrs.

President Zardari in his message condemning the blast said terrorists are enemies of the country, nation and humanity.

The PM has sent his prayers for the recovery of the injured in the blast, and expressed grief over the loss of lives and is deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq. He extended condolences to the families of the martyrs.

He has directed to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured. “Cowardly acts cannot weaken our resolve against terrorism and we are determined to completely eliminate all forms of terrorism”, PM said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also sought a report regarding the blast.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz and Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi have also condemned the incident.