title:Pakistan Blast Targets Jamaat-e-Islami Leader Maulana Waheed Gul Home
ISLAMABAD: A powerful yet contained explosion rocked the quiet residentialneighbourhood of Bajaur on Saturday morning when an improvised explosivedevice detonated directly outside the residence of Maulana Waheed Gul,deputy emir of Jamaat-e-Islami and former provincial assembly candidate.Remarkably, the blast which shattered windows and damaged boundary wallsclaimed no human lives, leaving investigators scrambling to determine boththe motive and the perpetrators behind this targeted attack on a prominentreligious-political figure.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 am in the densely populatedarea, where Maulana Waheed Gul has resided for over two decades. Accordingto initial police assessments, the device appeared to be a low-yieldimprovised explosive planted near the main gate, possibly intended as awarning rather than a lethal assault. Eyewitnesses described hearing athunderous sound followed by thick black smoke, sending panic through theotherwise peaceful morning routine of local residents.
KP police swiftly cordoned off the vicinity and launched a comprehensiveinvestigation involving forensic teams, bomb disposal squads andintelligence operatives. Preliminary reports indicate that the explosioncaused partial damage to the front portion of the house including crackedpillars, shattered glass panes and dented metal gates. The leader’s parkedvehicle sustained significant structural harm to its bonnet and windscreen,though no fire ensued after the blast.
Maulana Waheed Gul, who was inside the residence with family members at thetime, remained unharmed. The veteran Jamaat-e-Islami leader has beenactively involved in both religious preaching and electoral politics formore than thirty years, contesting the 2024 provincial elections from aBanaur constituency on a JI ticket where he secured respectable vote sharedespite falling short of victory. His recent public statements have focusedon economic policies, governance issues and criticism of foreign influencein national affairs.
Investigating officers have collected fragments of the explosive device forlaboratory analysis while reviewing nearby CCTV footage. Early indicationspoint toward a remotely detonated mechanism rather than a suicide attack,reinforcing the theory that the objective was intimidation rather thanassassination. Police have recorded statements from neighbours who reportedseeing suspicious movement near the house late Friday night, though noconcrete suspect descriptions have emerged so far.
Read Top Stories
Jamaat-e-Islami central leadership reacted swiftly to the incident, issuinga strongly worded statement condemning the attack as an assault ondemocratic values and religious freedom. Party spokesperson described theexplosion as part of a broader pattern of attempts to silence dissentingvoices in the country. Senior JI figures demanded immediate arrest ofperpetrators and enhanced security for party leadership, warning that suchincidents could destabilise the fragile political environment.
Explosive Device
ogimageimage-name
