Haqqania attack

Terror continues to raise its head, especially across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On Friday, the country was reminded that no place is safe from terrorism when a suicide blast struck the Darul Uloom Haqqania mosque in Akora Khattak, Nowshera. The explosion claimed the lives of Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani, the emir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S), and five others, and left at least 18 injured. The fact that this attack took place during the last Friday prayer before Ramazan, a time of spiritual reflection and peace, is a terrifying reminder of the security challenges the country faces. According to initial reports, the suicide bomber targeted Maulana Hamid, son of the late Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, who was known for his close ties with the Afghan Taliban. No group has claimed responsibility yet, but the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary had reportedly received threats from the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) due to its historical links with the Taliban. This raises serious concerns about the resurgence of sectarian and ideological violence, as well as the growing influence of factions like ISKP in Pakistan.

The attack also highlights the shifting dynamics within the religious right and the ideological rifts between factions linked to the Taliban and the ISKP, which considers the Taliban as ideological rivals. Security experts have long warned of the repercussions of the Afghan Taliban’s rise to power in Kabul, including their tacit support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). With divisions reportedly emerging within the Afghan Taliban, there is a real risk that splinter groups may align with the ISKP, emboldening their terrorist activities in Pakistan. The resurgence of terrorism in KP, therefore, is not just a local issue but is closely linked to the evolving security landscape across the Afghan border. Unfortunately, the KP government’s response to terrorism has been underwhelming. Despite being one of the worst-hit provinces, the PTI-led government has often been far more focused on political rhetoric than on formulating effective counterterrorism strategies. The mishandling of the Kurram issue, which led to over a hundred casualties, is a glaring example of this neglect. The current administration must go beyond mere condemnation and undertake a comprehensive overhaul of its counterterrorism policies. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s directive for a thorough investigation is a step in the right direction, but words must translate into action. In parallel, intelligence agencies need to strengthen cross-border surveillance and counterterrorism efforts to dismantle ISKP networks within Pakistan. The Haqqania madrassah attack is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem that includes ideological extremism, geopolitical shifts, and internal security failures. What we need is a coordinated and robust strategy involving intelligence agencies, law enforcement and regional cooperation -- focusing on eliminating immediate threats as well as addressing the ideological narratives that fuel extremism.

Unfortunately, Friday's bloodshed was not limited to Nowshera. A separate terror attack in Quetta's Jan Muhammad Road left 10 people, including security personnel, injured when a motorcycle strapped with explosive materials detonated -- a tragic memo that the security crisis is spread across Balochistan as well, which has long been plagued by violence from separatist groups and militant factions. Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, but the recurrence of such attacks only goes to show the urgency for a comprehensive counterterrorism approach across the country. The people of KP and Balochistan deserve safety and security and both provincial and federal governments must prioritise security over political bickering and implement effective counterterrorism measures.