Pakistan Mosque Suicide Blast: 10 Killed During Friday Prayers

Islamabad. A massive explosion took place in a mosque located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan when Friday prayers were being offered there. It is being told that ten people died in this bomb blast at the Jamia Haqqaniya Madrasa in northwestern Pakistan, while many are injured. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed, "So far ten people have died, while more than 12 have been seriously injured. Senior religious leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani has also been seriously injured in the blast." Hospital sources say that most of the injured brought to the hospital are in critical condition. According to AP report, District Police Chief Abdul Rashid said that the explosion took place in Akkora Khattak, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack inside the Jamia Haqqania Madrasa. However, Taliban's rival Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) or its affiliate group Daesh may be behind the attack.

According to initial information, the suicide bomber was present in the main hall of the mosque during Friday prayers and blew himself up as soon as the prayers were over. Hospital sources say that most of the injured brought to the hospital are in critical condition. Other sources in Akkora Khattak say that more than 24 people present in the mosque have been seriously injured in the explosion. Initial investigation has revealed that the target of the suicide bomber was Maulana Hamidul Haq, a senior leader of the religious political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq (JUI-S).

Bomb blast before Ramadan

This bomb blast happened on the last Friday before Ramadan. The holy month of Ramadan for Muslims is expected to start on Saturday or Sunday depending on the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia.