Akora Khattak blast
\n NOWSHERA
\nThe tranquil town of Akora Khattak is in deep mourning following a devastating suicide blast at the Haqqania seminary mosque after Friday prayers that resulted in the tragic deaths of eight individuals, including the seminary\u2019s administrator, Maulana Hamidul Haq.
\nThe explosion, which also left more than 20 others injured, has left the entire community in deep shock, grappling with the aftermath of the brutal attack on the peaceful worshipers.
\nThe deadly attack, which occurred late Friday afternoon, targeted Maulana Hamidul Haq, a prominent figure in the region\u2019s religious circles in Nowshera.
\nEyewitnesses and CCTV cameras described chaotic scenes at the seminary mosque as people scrambled to help the injured, while others tried to make sense of the unimaginable horror unfolding before them.
\nDPO Nowshera, Abdul Rasheed Khan, confirmed the tragic toll of the blast, noting that at least eight people died immediately, including Maulana Hamidul Haq, and more than 20 others were wounded, some critically.
\nThe attack took place as Maulana Haq was leaving the mosque for his home. The DPO said the suicide bomber, disguised as a religious scholar, managed to get close to the Maulana at the mosque\u2019s gate before detonating the six kilogram explosives strapped to his body.
\nMaulana Hamidul Haq, the son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq, a respected religious leader and former senator, had succeeded his father as head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) after his father was tragically stabbed to death in Rawalpindi in November 2018.
\nThe victims of the blast included both seminary students and worshippers who had gathered for prayers.
\nMohammad Alam, a long-time resident of Akora Khattak, voiced the deep sorrow felt by the residents. \u201cThis is a place where everyone came for worship. To see this kind of suicide attack on peaceful worshipers is unbearable,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe are in deep shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones.\u201d
\nWhile no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, suspicions are high that militant factions active across the western border may be behind the blast.
\nSyed Akhtar Ali Shah, former IGP KP said that historically, the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been complex, shaped by shared borders, cultural ties, and geopolitical challenges.
\nOver the years, he said that militant groups have used Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan, often taking advantage of the porous border between the two countries.
\nThis has led to a strained relationship, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of not doing enough to curb these subversive activities.
\nFor Pakistan, he said the issue is particularly sensitive because it has faced internal instability especially in KP and Balochistan due to extremism and terrorism, some of which have been linked to groups operating from Afghan territory.
\nThis includes the presence of groups like the TTP which has been involved in several attacks within Pakistan.
\nThus, the call for Afghanistan\u2019s soil not to be used against Pakistan is an appeal for regional stability, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation between the two nations to prevent the escalation of violence and the destabilizing influence of militant groups.
\nAkhtar underscores the need for both countries to address these issues through diplomatic channels, border control measures, and regional security cooperation to promote peace and security in the region.
\nHe said time has come to take decisive action against inimical forces.
\nIn the wake of the tragedy, there has been an outpouring of solidarity from the local community at Akora Khattak.
\nResidents have gathered at local mosques and residences of the victims to offer condolences, and blood donations have been organized to help those injured in the blast.
\nThe once peaceful town is now shrouded in grief, with people coming together to mourn their loss and support one another during this difficult time.
\n\u201cWe are all connected here,\u201d said Sanaullah, another local resident. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter who you are, this attack has affected us all deeply.\u201d
\nProfessor Dr Abdul Ghafoor, former Director of Sheikh Zayd Islamic Centre in Peshawar, condemned the attack, calling it \u201chighly deplorable\u201d and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
\nHe also called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
\n\u201cAttacking peaceful worshipers is a cowardly act that has no justification,\u201d Dr Ghafoor stated.
\nThe provincial government has pledged full support to the victims\u2019 families, with emergency relief operations already underway to assist the injured.
\nThe community, though deeply shaken, has vowed to remain resilient in the face of such a horrific event, united by their shared grief and determination to seek justice.
\nAs investigations into the blast continue and geo fencing completed, the residents of Akora Khattak are left with a profound sense of loss. Yet, amid the sorrow, there remains hope that justice will prevail.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Akora Khattak blast NOWSHERA The tranquil town of Akora Khattak is in deep mourning following a devastating suicide blast at the Haqqania seminary mosque after Friday prayers that resulted in the tragic deaths of eight individuals, including the seminary\u2019s administrator, Maulana Hamidul Haq. The explosion, which also left more than 20 others injured, has left […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-464679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-peshawar"],"yoast_head":"\n