Blast rips through madressah in KP’s Nowshera, – Pakistan

Several casualties are feared after a blast ripped thorugh the Madressah Haqqania in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district, DawnNews TV reported.

According to the report, Rescue 1122 officials have reached the site of the incident and police have begun investigating the incident.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal confirmed to Dawn.com that 20 people have been injured and have been taken to hospital.

It added that the blast occurred during Friday prayers in the main hall of the madressah. An emergency has been declared in Nowshera, according to Dawn’s KP Bureau Chief, Ali Akbar.

KP’s Inspector General, Zulfiqar Hameed, told Samaa TV that, “It appears to be a suicide blast, as per initial investigations. Some are injured and some are among the martyrs.”

“It appears that Maulana Hamidul Haq was the target,” the KP IG told Samaa TV.

According to the madressah’s website, it was found by Maulana Abdul Haq Haqqani, an Islamic scholar, in September 1947, according to the madrassa’s website.

The seminary has faced controversy in the past as its students have been accused of involvement in the murder of forme prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The madrassa has, however, denied having any connection with the suspects.

Some of the alumni of the seminary include Taliban leaders Amir Khan Muttaqi, Abdul Latif Mansoor, Maulvi Ahmad Jan, Mullah Jalaludin Haqani, Maulvi Qalamudin, Arifullah Arif and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, according to the BBC.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.