ISIS, TTP suspected: IGP says it’s premature to name culprit

PESHAWAR: No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on Maulana Hamidul Haq at Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, but the involvement of ISIS is being suspected.

However, the involvement of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) cannot be ruled out either. The investigation will also consider the aspect of any family dispute.

Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, dismissed social media reports linking the attack to ISIS, stating that speculation is being made, and the real facts will come to light after an investigation. He mentioned that the head and face of the suicide bomber are intact, which will aid in the investigation. A special committee has been formed for the inquiry, and all samples from the crime scene have been collected for scientific examination.

ISIS has remained highly active in Peshawar and Bajaur, where it has conducted several operations over the years. From Peshawar, operations extend to Nowshera, Jehangira, and Akora Khattak.

It is worth noting that in July 2023, a suicide bombing occurred at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) meeting in Khar, Bajaur District, killing at least 63 people and injuring around 200 others. ISIS-Khorasan (IS-KP) claimed responsibility for that attack. Earlier, in March 2022, IS-KP carried out a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Peshawar, resulting in over 60 deaths and more than 180 injuries.