The Child Who Played With Echoes
Sound turned into joy
He would clap his hands and laugh as echoes bounced around mountains like playful spirits. One day the echoes stayed, following him home like loyal pets. As he grew older, they whispered encouragement whenever he doubted himself. Echoes, after all, are just reminders of our own strength.
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The Cave Part 6
If you have ever heard a tale about yourself that you cannot remember and doubtless think is made up, you will know how I felt when Tharkin related all that the eagle had seen of me before my memories were scattered. Of far distances and traveling companions that I did not recall, camping out under the stars and making our way to the mountains with deliberate purpose. The great bird had lost contact with my party once we entered the forests, and the seven other members were not seen again by him or his brethren since.
By Jamye Sharpa day ago in Chapters
Bajaur Blast: 11 Security Personnel Killed in Suicide Attack on Check Post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
When we were pulling people out from under the rubble, there was still firing at the check post. The personnel stationed there returned fire. And when the wounded were being transported to the hospital in ambulances and vehicles, there was firing at that time as well. This is the account of an eyewitness who reached the site to help after an explosion at a joint check post of the FC and law enforcement agencies in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday evening. Given the situation in the area, he requested that his name not be disclosed. According to him, after the Isha prayer, a powerful explosion was heard in the area, and it felt as though it had occurred right in their immediate vicinity. “More or less, this was the situation in every house in the area, where people felt as if the powerful blast had happened near their own homes.” On Tuesday afternoon, in a statement issued by the military’s media wing, ISPR, it was said that 11 security personnel and one girl were killed in the attack. ISPR stated that on Monday, militants attacked a joint check post of the security forces and law enforcement agencies in Bajaur district. According to the statement, the militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the check post, causing the building to collapse. According to ISPR, nearby buildings were also damaged in the explosion, resulting in the death of a girl and injuries to seven civilians. Firing also took place while the injured were being transported Since the incident, there has been an atmosphere of fear in Bajaur district. According to local residents, security forces have cordoned off the blast site in the Loi Mamond area and are not allowing anyone to approach. Residents said that helicopters were seen in the sky early in the morning, after which the bodies were transported to the hospital. So far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Chairman of Tehsil Nawagai, Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, said that he was in his hujra (guest house) last night when suddenly the door burst open due to the powerful explosion. “We couldn’t understand what was happening. Our hujra is located a few kilometers from the blast site.” He said he received calls from nearby areas reporting that an explosion had occurred near their homes. Similar reports were coming in from nearby villages, but it was unclear what exactly had happened. According to Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, he went to the affected check post after receiving the information. He said that residential houses near the check post were also damaged in the explosion and several civilians were injured. Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman added that when the injured were being transported in ambulances, unidentified individuals opened fire, to which the forces responded. An eyewitness, describing the incident and subsequent rescue operations, said that the destroyed check post was a two-story building. He said that after the explosion, announcements were made from local mosques informing residents and asking them to come to the site to help rescue those trapped under the rubble. According to locals, the building had previously been used as a religious seminary. The eyewitness said, “When we arrived there and began pulling people out from the rubble, unidentified individuals were still firing at the check post.” He added, “It was a difficult time. Six bodies were recovered during the night.” The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Suhail Afridi, condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act. He said that after the Bajaur blast, rescue agencies had been directed to carry out immediate and comprehensive relief operations. The Chief Minister added that a comprehensive and effective strategy is essential for the complete elimination of terrorism. ‘A month and a half ago, people were sent back saying the area had been cleared’ A few months ago, a military operation was carried out in the Loi Mamond area against armed militants. Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman said that a large number of people had displaced themselves for the operation, leaving their homes and staying in camps. He said that people spent about a month and a half in the camps. According to him, about a month and a half ago, people were sent back to their areas after being told that the region had been cleared. He said the government should review its policies, as such policies are causing harm to the people. The situation in Bajaur has been tense for a long time, and attacks have targeted not only security forces but also religious leaders and their gatherings. Some attacks have been claimed by the banned organization ISIS. On July 30, 2023, a suicide bombing at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl-ur-Rehman) rally in the Khar area killed 60 people and injured more than 100. ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack. Similarly, in July 2025, an attack was carried out on the Assistant Commissioner’s convoy on Nawagai Road in Bajaur, in which the Assistant Commissioner and four others were killed. During that period, there were also incidents of targeted killings of police officers and attacks on tribal leaders.
By Real contentabout 4 hours ago in Chapters
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