A powerful explosion ripped through a mosque in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan, northwestern Pakistan a short while ago, injuring four people, including a prominent Islamist political figure. The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers, has heightened tensions in an already volatile region plagued by militancy.

Abdullah Nadeem, a district leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, was critically wounded in the blast and is believed to have been the primary target, according to Asif Bahadar, the district police chief. Alongside Nadeem, three others, including two children, sustained injuries. Rescue teams swiftly responded, transporting the victims to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana for urgent medical care. Nadeem’s condition remains serious, underscoring the severity of the assault.

While authorities have yet to confirm the exact nature of the explosion, early reports from police sources and chatter on social media suggest it may have been a suicide bombing or an IED. No group has claimed responsibility at this stage, but the attack bears hallmarks of militant operations that have long destabilized Pakistan’s northwest, particularly areas near the Afghan border. South Waziristan, part of the former tribal belt, has been a hotspot for insurgent activity, including by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has targeted both security forces and political figures in recent years.

The JUI-F, a conservative religious party with significant influence in the region, has faced threats due to its political stance and occasional cooperation with the government. This incident follows a pattern of violence against religious and political leaders, raising concerns about escalating unrest ahead of local elections.