In a tragic incident in Akora Khattak, Pakistan, a suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a mosque located within a pro-Taliban seminary, resulting in the death of a prominent cleric and four worshippers. The attack also left dozens of individuals injured, just days before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.
The district police chief confirmed that the deceased cleric, Hamidul Haq, who led a faction of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) party, was among those killed in the blast. Haq, the son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq, a key figure in the Taliban movement, was also in charge of the Jamia Haqqania seminary.
Authorities have condemned the attack, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructing for the best possible medical care to be provided to the wounded. The provincial police chief stated that Haq was the intended target of the suicide bombing, although no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
This assault comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence in Pakistan, with a surge in attacks witnessed in recent years. The country has previously attributed many of these incidents to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Quetta, a roadside bomb explosion near a security forces vehicle resulted in injuries to 10 individuals, including two troops. Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, has been a focal point of a prolonged separatist insurgency, with groups seeking independence from the central government in Islamabad.
Despite Pakistan's efforts to quell the insurgency, violence in Baluchistan continues to persist, underscoring the challenges faced by the authorities in maintaining security and stability in the region.
