Our Correspondent
BANNU: In a horrifying continuation of violence against sacred Islamic sites, terrorists linked to Fitna al-Kharij launched an attack on a mosque in the Mandio Khas area of Bannu during the early hours of July 14, at approximately 2:00 AM.
According to initial reports, the terrorists stormed the mosque, opened indiscriminate fire, and detonated explosives inside the premises. The attack resulted in extensive damage to the mosque’s structure, including its walls, cupboards, and interior furnishings. Most grievously, several sacred copies of the Holy Quran were desecrated and martyred during the explosion.
This tragic incident is the latest in a disturbing pattern of assaults targeting mosques and religious spaces. The Fitna al-Kharij, commonly known as the Khawarij, have a notorious history of such attacks.
In January 2023, the Peshawar Police Lines Mosque was similarly targeted, resulting in the martyrdom of 84 worshippers and injuries to 157 others. That explosion also led to the martyrdom of over 200 copies of the Holy Quran—a profound and deliberate act of sacrilege.
Another attack was carried out on the Zaroli Mosque near Wanda Panjma in Lakki Marwat, where four armed terrorists arrived on two motorcycles and opened fire on worshippers. Four civilians were injured in the assault.
In yet another disturbing event, a terror attempt was foiled in the Khwaza Khela area of Swat, where suicide jackets and explosives were recovered from a mosque, averting what could have been another tragic attack.
These repeated assaults prove that the enemies of peace and Islam have no hesitation in desecrating even the most sacred sites in pursuit of their nefarious agendas.
The so-called religious justifications used by these groups are a gross distortion of Islam’s true message. Their actions represent a betrayal of Islamic values, which promote peace, sanctity of life, and the protection of sacred places.
The continued targeting of mosques and the Holy Quran by these extremist elements demands urgent attention from all segments of society—religious leaders, civil society, and security institutions must come together to counter this Fitna and safeguard the spiritual sanctity of the nation.
