Reward announced for information on suicide bomber behind Nowshera seminary attack

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has announced a monetary reward for information about the unidentified suicide bomber responsible for the deadly attack on a seminary in Nowshera district.

Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq and head of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-S), was among six victims who died in the suicide bombing at the Darul Uloom Haqqania on Friday.

An additional 18 people were injured when the bomber detonated explosives after the Friday prayers congregation.

A view of people gathering as the funeral of JUI-S chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani is held at Darul Uloom Haqqania. Photo courtesy: AP

On Saturday, thousands of mourners gathered for Haq’s funeral at Jamia Haqqania, the seminary where he served as the head. The bombing, which specifically targeted Haq, also killed six others.

Haq, the son of Maulana Samiul Haq, who was assassinated in 2018, was a prominent figure in Pakistan’s religious and political landscape. This bombing is part of a series of four attacks across Pakistan on the same day, two of which occurred at mosques, raising concerns about the timing just before Ramadan.

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Haq’s son, Maulana Abdulhaq Sani, who was also injured in the attack. The FIR, filed with the CTD’s Mardan police station, includes charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Authorities have released a photograph of the alleged suicide bomber and are offering a reward of Rs500,000 (approximately $1,787) for information leading to the attacker’s identification. They are seeking details on the bomber’s name, parentage, and place of residence.

People mourn the death of JUI-S chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, one of six victims killed in the suicide bombing at Darul Uloom Haqqania on Friday. Photo: AFP

A statement from the KP police assured that the identity of any informant would remain confidential. The public can contact the authorities through the numbers 0315-9135456 and 091-9212591.

The funeral service for Haq was held at the seminary, with mourners filling the main hall and spilling onto the street. Thanks to a heavy police presence and the protection provided by seminary students, the prayers proceeded peacefully without any incidents.

Life of Maulan Hamdul is a Himdid.

Maulana Hamidul Haqqani Haqqani, the deputy head of Darul ulom Haqqani and son of the late religion leader maulaana samiul dhu, was born on May 26, 1968, in Akora Khattak.

He received his religious education at Darul Uloom Haqqania, the same institution where his paternal uncle, Maulana Anwar-ul-Haq Haqqani, served as the Head.

Maulana Hamidul Haqqani’s Grandfather, Maulana Abdulqa Haqqani, was the founder of Jamaat-E-Ulema Pakistan, a prominent political figure, and a former member of the national assembly.

His father, Maulana Samiul Haq, was a member of the Senate and played a pivotal role in forming new religious alliances in Pakistan.

A Student from Darul Elom Haqqania Seminary in Akora Khattak is Seen Leaving the Institution on October 19, 2020. Photo: AFP

Hamidul Haq Haqqani was instrumental in the creation of the United Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of religious parties. In 2001, following the US invasion of Afghanistan, he founded the Defence Afghanistan Council, which later evolved into the MMA, a key political alliance of religious groups.

In 2002, Hamidul Haq Haqqani was elected as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Nowshera, where he represented his constituency until 2007.

Following the tragic assassination of his father in 2018, Hamidul Haq Haqqani took on the leadership of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and became the Deputy Head of Darul Uloom Haqqania.