2025 Darul Uloom Haqqania bombing

Terrorist attack in Pakistan

2025 Darul Uloom Haqqania bombing

Part of Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Interior of the seminary after attack

Darul Uloom Haqqania

Darul Uloom Haqqania (Pakistan)

Location| Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary, Akora Khattak, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates| 34°00′00″N 72°07′17″E﻿ / ﻿34.00000°N 72.12139°E﻿ / 34.00000; 72.12139
Date| 28 February 2025
14:00 (PKT)
Target| Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani

Attack type

| Suicide bombing
Weapons| Explosive belt
Deaths| 8 (including the perpetrator)[1]
Injured| 20[2]
Perpetrator|  Islamic State – Khorasan Province (suspected)[3]

* v
* t
* e

Terrorist attacks
in Pakistan (since 2001)

Italics indicates attacks resulting in more than 40 deaths
‡ indicates attacks resulting in more than 100 deaths
Underline indicates the deadliest terrorist attack/s to date

2001|

* 1st Bahawalpur

2002|

* 1st Karachi

2003|

* 1st Quetta

2004|

* 2nd Quetta
* 1st Multan

2005|

* 1st Mandi Bahauddin (Ahmadiyya)

2006|

* 4th Karachi
* Dargai

2007|

* 1st Dera Ismail Khan
* 1st Charsadda
* July bombings ‡
* 2nd Rawalpindi
* 5th Karachi ‡
* 2nd Charsadda
* 3rd Rawalpindi (Bhutto assassination)

2008|

* 3rd Charsadda
* 2nd Parachinar
* 1st Swat
* 1st Islamabad
* 2nd Islamabad
* 2nd Dera Ismail Khan
* 1st Wah
* 1st Peshawar
* 3rd Islamabad
* 1st Orakzai ‡
* 2nd Peshawar

2009|

* 4th/5th Dera Ismail Khan (January violence)
* 6th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2nd Lahore (Sri Lankan cricket)
* 1st Khyber
* 3rd Lahore
* Chakwal
* 7th/8th Dera Ismail Khan (May attacks)
* 4th Lahore
* 3rd Peshawar
* 5th Lahore
* Usterzai
* 4th Peshawar
* 4th Rawalpindi
* Alpuri
* 6th Lahore
* 5th Islamabad
* 5th Peshawar ‡
* 5th Rawalpindi
* 6th Peshawar
* 6th Rawalpindi
* 7th Lahore
* 1st Dera Ghazi Khan
* 1st Lower Dir
* 6th Karachi

2010|

* 1st Lakki Marwat ‡
* 1st Bajaur
* 2nd Lower Dir
* 7th Karachi
* 2nd Khyber
* 3rd Khyber
* 8th, 9th & 10th Lahore
* U.S consulate/Timergarah attack
* 2nd/3rd Kohat
* 8th Peshawar
* 11th Lahore (Ahmadiyya)
* 9th Dera Ismail Khan
* 12th Lahore (Sufi)
* 1st Mohmand ‡
* 13th Lahore (Shia)
* 3rd Quetta
* 2nd Darra Adam Khel
* 8th Karachi (CID)
* 2nd Mohmand
* 2nd Bajaur

2011|

* Faisalabad
* 9th Peshawar
* 2nd Dera Ghazi Khan
* 4th Quetta
* 4th Charsadda
* 9th Karachi (PNS Mehran)
* 10th Peshawar
* 10th Dera Ismail Khan (police station)
* 4th Khyber
* 5th Quetta
* Karachi targeted killings ‡
* 1st Mastung

2012|

* 5th Khyber
* 1st Rahim Yar Khan
* 1st Kohistan
* Mansehra
* 13th Peshawar (airport)
* 11th Dera Ismail Khan

2013|

* 8th Quetta/3rd Swat ‡
* 9th Quetta
* 10th Karachi
* Election day
* Quaid-e-Azam residency
* 10th Quetta
* Mardan
* Nanga Parbat
* 11th Quetta/17th Peshawar
* 14th Lahore
* 5th Parachinar
* 12th Dera Ismail Khan (prison attack)
* 11th Karachi
* 12th Quetta
* 13th Quetta
* 18th Peshawar ‡
* 19th Peshawar

2014|

* 12th Karachi (Chaudhry Aslam assassination)
* 1st Bannu
* 2nd Mastung
* 20th Peshawar
* 13th Karachi (Jinnah International Airport)
* 14th Quetta
* Wagah border
* 21st Peshawar (school massacre) ‡

2015|

* Shikarpur
* 22nd Peshawar
* 15th Lahore
* 14th Karachi
* 3rd Mastung
* Attock
* Camp Badaber
* Taunsa Sharif
* 15th Quetta
* Jacobabad
* 6th Parachinar

2016|

* 16th Quetta
* 5th Charsadda (Bacha Khan University)
* 23rd Peshawar
* 16th Lahore
* 17th Quetta
* 3rd Mohmand
* 18th Quetta
* 2nd Khuzdar

2017|

* 13th Dera Ismail Khan
* 7th Parachinar
* 17th Lahore
* 24th Peshawar
* Sehwan
* 6th Charsadda
* 8th Parachinar
* 18th Lahore
* 25th Peshawar
* 4th Mastung
* 19th Quetta/9th Parachinar
* Chaman
* 19th Lahore
* 20th Lahore
* 4th Bajaur
* 20th Quetta
* 1st Harnai
* 14th Dera Ismail Khan (Ataullah Shah)
* Jhal Magsi
* 27th Peshawar
* 21st Quetta

2018|

* 28th Peshawar
* 5th Mastung/2nd Bannu ‡
* 15th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2018 election violence
* 22nd Quetta
* 2nd Orakzai
* 15th Karachi (Chinese consulate)

2019|

* 1st Loralai
* 2nd Loralai/Panjgur
* 23rd Quetta
* 20th Lahore
* 1st Gwadar

2020|

* 24th Quetta
* 25th Quetta
* 16th Karachi (Stock Exchange)

2021|

* 2021 Machh attack
* 3rd Chaman
* 26th Quetta (Serena Hotel)
* 21st Lahore
* 17th Karachi
* 27th Quetta
* 28th Quetta

2022|

* 22nd Lahore
* 1st Kech
* Panjgur and Naushki
* 29th Quetta
* Sibi
* 29th Peshawar
* Sangan
* 18th Karachi
* 19th Karachi
* 1st Miranshah
* 4th Swat
* 2nd Lakki Marwat
* 30th Quetta
* 2nd Miranshah
* 3rd Bannu
* 7th Islamabad

2023|

* 31st Peshawar
* 20th Karachi
* Barkhan
* Bolan
* Havelian
* 3rd Lakki Marwat
* 8th Khyber
* 31st Quetta
* Muslim Bagh
* 32nd Peshawar
* Zhob
* 1st N Waziristan
* Bara
* Khar
* 2nd N Waziristan
* 6th Mastung
* Hangu
* 16th Dera Ismail Khan
* 2nd Gwadar
* Mianwali
* Chilas
* Daraban

2024|

* 2024 Balochistan
* BLA Gwadar attack
* Shangla
* Lakki Marwat
* 32nd Quetta
* Kurram

2025|

* Darul Uloom Haqqania

On February 28, 2025, a suicide bombing occurred at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Akora Khattak, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The attack took place during Friday prayers, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including the prominent cleric and head of the seminary, Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani. Additionally, approximately 20 others sustained injuries.[4][5]

## Background

[edit]

Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, born on May 26, 1968, was an Islamic scholar and politician. He served as a member of Pakistan's National Assembly from 2002 to 2007 and led the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) party following the assassination of his father Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, in 2018. The Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary is renowned for its historical significance and its role in educating many Afghan Taliban leaders. The institution has been a focal point in regional religious and political dynamics.[6]

## Bombing

[edit]

The attack occurred following Friday prayers at a mosque inside the Darul Uloom Haqqania compound. The attacker was believed to have entered the building through a side gate and walked up to Haq while prayers were being offered.[7][8] At least eight people, including Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani, who was leaving the mosque,[9] and six worshippers, were killed while dozens were injured, including three police officers tasked with guarding the compound.[10][11] Three people were in critical condition, while an Afghan national was also among the fatalities.[12]

## Aftermath

[edit]

The bombing occurred just before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, a period traditionally marked by heightened religious observances. The attack was condemned by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other national leaders. Both the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban also condemned the attack, while Haqqani's family appealed to his followers to remain peaceful.[9] The Afghan interior ministry blamed the attack on Islamic State,[12] with suspicions falling on Islamic State – Khorasan Province.[13][14]

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities initiated an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.[15] Authorities issued a photo of the alleged suicide bomber and offered a reward of 500,000 rupees ($1,787) for information regarding him.[16]

Haqqani's funeral was held at the main hall of Darul Uloom Haqqania on 1 March, with thousands in attendance amid heavy security provided by police and students.[16]

## Reactions

[edit]

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan sent condolences and condemned the violence, stressing the importance of the safety of scholars in the region and putting emphasis on the loss of an important scholar.[17]

The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Peshawar issued a press release condemning the attack and especially and expressing condolences, as well as reiterating the stance of the Iranian government that continuous bilateral and regional cooperation is needed to effectively combat the threat of terrorism. [18]

## See also

[edit]

* Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2025
* 2025 in Pakistan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Top cleric, six worshippers killed in suicide bomb attack at seminary in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". The New Indian Express. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
2. ^ "At least 5 killed, 20 injured in a blast at pro-Taliban seminary in Pakistan". Times of India. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
3. ^ Hussain, Abid. "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
4. ^ "Pakistan: Top cleric, 4 others killed after bomb blast during Friday prayer at madrassa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". The Times of India. 28 February 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
5. ^ "5 Killed, 20 Injured In Blast At Mosque During Friday Prayers In Pakistan". NDTV. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
6. ^ "Pakistani cleric close to Taliban killed in mosque blast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 injured". Firstpost. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
7. ^ "Suicide bombing at Pakistan Islamic seminary kills six, including Taliban-linked cleric". Reuters. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
8. ^ "JUI-S chief among four martyred in blast at Darul Uloom Haqqania, Nowshera". The Express Tribune. 28 February 2025.
9. ^ a b "Suicide bomb at a seminary in northwest Pakistan kills top cleric and 5 others ahead of Ramadan". AP News. 28 February 2025.
10. ^ "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera. 28 February 2025.
11. ^ Umar Bacha; Manzoor Ali; Tahir Khan; Zahid Imdad (28 February 2025). "JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq among 6 dead in Nowshera madressah suicide blast; 15 injured". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
12. ^ a b "Suicide blast at Taliban religious school in Pakistan kills six". France 24. 28 February 2025.
13. ^ Hussain, Abid (28 February 2025). "Blast at Taliban-linked Pakistani seminary kills six people, injures 20". Al Jazeera News. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
14. ^ Gul, Ayaz (28 February 2025). "Suicide bombing at Pakistan religious seminary kills senior cleric, others". VOA News. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
15. ^ "Bomb Blast at a Mosque in Pakistan Kills Five, Injures Dozens". Munsif Daily. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
16. ^ a b Khan, Riaz (2 March 2025). "Thousands of mourners attend funeral of Taliban-linked cleric killed in Pakistan suicide blast". AP News. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
17. ^ "Islamic Emirate's Condolence Message on the martyrdom of the Deputy Administrator of Darul Uloom Haqqania". Al Emarah. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
18. ^ "Condolence of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Peshawar". Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Peshawar. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Darul Uloom Haqqania

People|

| Chancellors|

* Abdul Haq Akorwi
* Sami-ul-Haq
* Anwar-ul-Haq Haqqani

|

Vice-Chancellors|

* Salman-Ul-Haq Haqqani

Academic staff|

* Abdul Hakim Haqqani
* Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani
* Shaikh Idrees
* Muhammad Fareed
* Sami-ul-Haq

Alumni|

* List of Darul Uloom Haqqania alumni

Related|

* 2025 Darul Uloom Haqqania bombing

See also|

* Darul Uloom Deoband

* Category:Darul Uloom Haqqania

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