Pakistani cleric, four others die after blast hits mosque in KP

The blast tore through the main prayer hall of the madressah as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers, KP Police Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed to Dawn.com.

“It was a suicide blast. Three policemen were also injured in the attack,” Hameed said.

The mesrassah is known for training Afghan Talibans.

Security officials rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies to the hospital.

An emergency has been declared across all hospitals in Peshawar.

The inspector general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police told Samaa TV that he believes Maulana Hamidul Haq was the target of the blast.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.

The entire area has been cordoned off.

An investigation into the incident has been launched.

Rescue officials said 20 people were evacuated from the spot so far.

The seminary, often referred to as the "University of Jihad", was founded by Maulana Samiul Haq, reported Samaa TV.

According to reports, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif have condoled the loss of lives in the incident.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur condemned the incident and directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the attack.

 The JUI spokesperson condemned the blast.

"Even mosques and madrassas are no longer safe," Aslam Ghauri told Samaa TV, blaming the government for failing to maintain peace and order.

He accused the authorities of prioritising cricket over national security.

The blast occurred at a time when Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy.

The cricket event marked the return of an ICC event to Pakistan after a gap of 29 years.

International teams stopped visiting Pakistan after gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers in 2009.