United Kashmir Journal: Tragic Blast at Darul Uloom Haqqania In Akora Khattak. JUI-S Chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani Killed along with five others and 18 injured. This Darul Uloom is linked to the Afghan Taliban. The attack took place shortly after the Friday prayers congregation.

On February 28, 2025, a devastating suicide bombing occurred at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Akora Khattak, Nowshera district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, the seminary's chief and son of the late Maulana Samiul Haq, a prominent figure linked to the Afghan Taliban. An additional 18 people were injured in the attack, which took place shortly after the Friday prayers congregation.

In response to the attack, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) registered a terrorism case against the unidentified suicide bomber. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed based on the account of Maulana Abdulhaq Sani, the son of the deceased cleric and one of the injured victims. The FIR invoked several sections of Pakistani law, including the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Pakistan Penal Code, highlighting the severity of the offense.

Despite efforts to identify the perpetrator through available surveillance footage, authorities have been unable to ascertain his identity. Consequently, the CTD released a photograph of the suspect and announced a monetary reward of Rs0.5 million for information leading to his identification. They assured the public that the informant's identity would remain confidential, encouraging individuals to come forward with any pertinent information.

The Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary holds significant historical importance, often referred to as the "University of Jihad" due to its association with the Afghan Taliban. Many Taliban leaders have studied there, underscoring its influence in regional militant movements. The assassination of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, given his familial ties and position, has raised concerns about potential motivations behind the attack.

reuters.com

Within the Afghan Taliban, there are notable factions, primarily the Haqqani network and the Kandahari group led by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Haqqani network, founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, has been recognized as a semi-autonomous offshoot of the Taliban, wielding considerable influence, especially in eastern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan.

en.wikipedia.org The Kandahari faction, rooted in the Taliban's origins in Kandahar, represents the traditional leadership of the group.

Reports have indicated internal rifts between these factions. Tensions have arisen over power distribution, strategic decisions, and ideological differences. For instance, public criticisms have been directed at the Taliban's supreme leader, suggesting dissatisfaction with centralized decision-making.

jamestown.org Such internal disputes have raised concerns about the potential for escalated conflicts within the Taliban's ranks.

However, attributing the Nowshera seminary attack directly to these internal Taliban divisions requires caution. While internal conflicts can lead to targeted violence, other militant groups, such as the Islamic State's Khorasan Province (ISKP), have actively targeted Taliban figures and supporters in the region. For example, a recent suicide bombing in Kabul resulted in the death of Khalil Haqqani, a senior Taliban minister, with ISKP claiming responsibility.

wsj.com This indicates that external extremist groups also pose significant threats to Taliban-affiliated individuals.

In conclusion, the inability of Pakistani authorities to identify the perpetrator of the Nowshera seminary bombing underscores the complexities inherent in the region's security landscape. While internal Taliban divisions, particularly between the Haqqani network and the Kandahari faction, exist and could potentially lead to violence, the involvement of external militant groups like ISKP cannot be discounted. A thorough and impartial investigation is essential to determine the true perpetrators and to address the multifaceted challenges posed by both internal rifts and external threats in the region.

Recent Developments Related to Taliban Leadership and Regional Security