Blast at the Pakistan Mosque Leaves Islamist Leader and Three Others Injured

A powerful blast ripped through a mosque in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, injuring an Islamist party leader and three others, including two children, police said.

According to district police chief Asif Bahadar, the explosion targeted Abdullah Nadeem, a local leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) political party. Nadeem sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The identity of those behind the attack remains unclear.

Pakistan's border regions with Afghanistan have seen a surge in violence in recent months.

Just last month, a suicide bomber targeted an Islamic seminary during Friday prayers, killing six worshippers in northwestern Pakistan-a region known for its historical ties to the Afghan Taliban.

Meanwhile, in southwestern Balochistan this week, separatist militants hijacked a train, taking passengers hostage in a tense, day-long standoff with security forces.

As militant activity rises, Pakistan has vowed to intensify its crackdown, blaming the growing unrest on militant safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan. However, the Afghan Taliban have denied these claims.