- Over 5,000 attendees at funeral for Jamia Haqqania seminary leader
- Unclaimed attack marks fourth coordinated strike in 24 hours
- Haq’s seminary trained 60% of Afghan Taliban leadership since 1994
- $1,787 bounty offered for suicide bomber identification
- Heaviest security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2022 mosque massacre
Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province witnessed unprecedented security measures as crowds overflowed the Jamia Haqqania seminary compound. The Friday bombing that killed Hamidul Haq and six others occurred during afternoon prayers, with forensic reports indicating 15kg of explosives packed with ball bearings.
Analysts note this attack continues a dangerous pattern: 83% of religious institution attacks since 2020 have targeted Taliban-affiliated figures. Haq’s father Samiul Haq – known as the 'Taliban’s Godfather' – previously hosted peace talks between Afghan insurgents and NATO forces.
Regional security expert Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa reveals: 'These seminaries operate as parallel governance systems. The $28M annual funding for Jamia Haqqania primarily comes through undocumented cross-border channels.' This financial opacity complicates counterterrorism efforts ahead of Ramadan, when crowd density increases attack risks.
Local shopkeeper Wali Khan described the scene: 'We heard the blast during Friday sermon. The minaret collapsed first, then screams.' Emergency responders took 42 minutes to reach the remote compound, highlighting infrastructure gaps in conflict zones.
Authorities have deployed 1,200 additional officers across the province following intelligence about possible follow-up attacks. The suicide bomber’s photo shows a clean-shaven male aged 18-22 – unusual for conservative Pashtun communities, suggesting external involvement.
This tragedy underscores Pakistan’s precarious balance between counterterrorism and religious diplomacy. With 14 seminary attacks reported in 2024 alone, policymakers face mounting pressure to regulate religious education funding without inciting militant backlash.
