Why it matters:
Maulana Hamid ul Haq took over leadership of the Haqqania political party and religious center in Pakistan following the death of his father, Maulana Sami ul Haq. The Haqqania institution is a well-known religious center affiliated with the Deobandi sect, where many leaders of the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban, including members of the Haqqani network, have studied.
The big picture:
Despite a ceasefire agreement between the Pakistani government and terrorist groups, terrorist attacks have surged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the border regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) reported that at least 100 people were killed in terrorist attacks in October alone, marking a 100% increase compared to 50 fatalities in September.
What they are saying:
Pakistani media reported an explosion occurring during Friday prayers in the northwest region of the country. Local reports suggest that the blast was a suicide attack. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police confirmed that several people were killed and injured in the explosion. Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack at the Haqqania center, emphasizing that those responsible for this crime will be identified and brought to justice.
Key points:
So far, five people have been reported dead, and 20 others injured.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack at this time.
Go deeper:
The rise in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly in the context of the fragile ceasefire agreements. The targeting of prominent religious figures raises concerns about the stability of religious institutions and the potential for further escalations in violence.
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