Suicide Bombing Kills Five in Pakistani Mosque During Friday Prayers

A suicide bombing during Friday prayers at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Akora Khattak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of at least five people, including top cleric Hamidul Haq Haqqani, and injured 20 others. This attack, which occurred just before the holy month of Ramadan, has been condemned by local authorities, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who emphasized the need for proper medical care for the injured. Investigations suggest that the bombing was targeted, although no group has yet claimed responsibility; the Taliban have condemned the attack and suggested it may be the work of the Islamic State. The seminary, known for its links to the Taliban and dubbed the 'University of Jihad,' has produced several notable militant leaders. The attack underscores a troubling rise in violence in Pakistan's border regions, particularly since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. Authorities are urging the public to donate blood for the victims as emergency services respond to the ongoing crisis.