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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 content8 days ago in Chapters
US Military Assets Near Iran: USS Abraham Lincoln, Gerald R. Ford and Growing Middle East Tensions
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is currently positioned near Iran. It is worth noting that Washington has been increasing pressure on Iran over its nuclear program and its bloody crackdown on recent protests, even as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, U.S. and Iranian officials are set to begin a second round of talks in Switzerland on Tuesday. Iran has stated that the meeting in Switzerland will focus on its nuclear program and the possible lifting of U.S. economic sanctions, while Washington has indicated it wants to raise additional issues during the negotiations. The Abraham Lincoln is accompanied by three guided missile destroyers, 90 aircraft including F-35 fighter jets, and 5,680 personnel. Although the carrier was deployed to the Gulf region at the end of January, it had not appeared in satellite imagery until now. According to the latest information, the vessel is currently near the coast of Oman, approximately 700 kilometers from Iran. Reports also indicate that the United States has dispatched the world’s largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, toward the Middle East, where it could arrive within the next three weeks. The presence of the Abraham Lincoln further underscores that the U.S. has increased its military footprint in the Middle East in recent weeks. There has been a notable rise in the number of American destroyers, warships, and fighter jets in the region.
By Real content9 days ago in Chapters
Does Handwriting Improve Memory and Learning?
The development, affordability, and easy availability of electronic and digital devices have changed many things. They have brought convenience, comfort, and ease into life. However, experts say that they are also creating certain problems that are negatively affecting our mental abilities. One example is the growing trend of typing instead of writing by hand. Today, most people around the world have a smartphone in their hands. Many of them can be seen rapidly typing on a small screen using their two thumbs. Those who need to write more use a tablet, laptop, or computer keyboard, typing either with two fingers or, if skilled, with eight fingers of both hands. In developed countries, it is now rare to see someone writing on paper with a pen. In modern schools of both developed and developing countries, children are introduced to computers in the early grades. In higher classes, pens, paper, notebooks, and even books are no longer commonly seen; instead, students work on tablets or laptops. Although the heavy burden of schoolbags has been lifted from children’s shoulders, experts say this has also led to a decline in certain abilities related to memory and learning. Professor of Psychology, Brigadier (Retd.) Dr. Shoaib Ahmed (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) at Dow University of Medical Sciences in Karachi, said that our brain has two parts that perform different functions. The left hemisphere controls bodily functions largely related to movement, while the right hemisphere is associated with creative abilities. He explained that when we type, it is more of a mechanical process. The brain does not pay attention to the structure or formation of letters and words because it knows that pressing a key will produce them; there is no need to shape them manually. However, when we write with a pen, the right side of the brain also becomes active, and the act of handwriting engages both hemispheres together. He added that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, and the right side of the body is governed by the left hemisphere of the brain. This is why most people perform tasks with their right hand. Dr. Shoaib further explained that when we write on paper by hand, the writing is not only being inscribed on paper but also being imprinted in our memory. This is why students who prepare notes by hand tend to remember them better than those who type them. How do handwriting and typing affect the brain? At the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, researchers included three dozen students in an experiment where they were asked to write by hand and to type. During this process, electronic scans of their brains were taken. The researchers found that brain waves were more active and pronounced during handwriting, while more limited activity was observed during typing. Professor Audrey van der Meer, from the Department of Psychology and co-author of the study, said that during typing, they did not observe the same organized oscillations in brain waves that were seen during handwriting. She stated that the act of handwriting is rich in neural activity. Many students also report similar experiences. Maryam Idris, who recently completed her MPhil, said that she remembers things better when she writes them by hand. To prepare for exams, she writes things down to memorize them. She mainly uses typing for assignments because it saves time. Kathleen Arnold, a psychologist at Radford University in the U.S. state of Virginia, said that although there is an increase in brain wave oscillations during handwriting compared to typing, it is not yet clear whether this is directly related to memory. Further research is needed. Dr. Shoaib Ahmed views it from another perspective. He says that when you write by hand, the part of the brain associated with creativity is also involved. That part pays attention to the structure of words. When you focus on something, it is transferred into our memory.
By Real content10 days ago in Education
Swiss Glacier Rescue: Chihuahua Dog Leads Helicopter Team to Trapped Mountaineer
Flip is a small, energetic, and loyal Chihuahua, but he has a very big personality. These are the words Flip’s owner, Jon Goller, uses to describe his dog. Last summer, Jon Goller fell into a crevasse on a Swiss glacier. He was rescued by a helicopter—and the reason was his dog, who stayed by his side even in that terrible moment. Both Flip and Goller love the mountains and mountaineering. When Flip gets tired from walking, his owner puts him in a bag and carries him on his shoulder so they can complete the rest of the journey more quickly. They stop at several spots along the way, eat, and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Goller said, “My dog can walk 20 to 30 kilometers. Fortunately, on the day of the accident I hadn’t put him in the bag, nor was he on a leash, otherwise he might have fallen into the crevasse as well. If that had happened, the rescue teams would never have found me.” Jon is originally from the city of Plzeň in the Czech Republic and had moved to Switzerland about a month before the accident. Goller says, “My parents gave me Flip as a gift—they breed dogs. I had another dog before, but it passed away some time ago. Flip is two and a half years old, and everyone at my office likes him and plays with him. He especially loves playing in the snow.”
By Real content10 days ago in Petlife
Chinese New Year 2026: Meaning, Traditions, Zodiac Signs & Celebration Guide
In the Chinese calendar, this is the most important day of the year, and on February 1 more than one billion people eat delicious meals with their loved ones. They watch colorful parades held in their respective areas and pray that the new year will prove to be blessed for them.
By Real content10 days ago in History
Post-Hasina Bangladesh: BNP Victory, Youth Revolution, and the Future of Democracy
About two years ago, when Sheikh Hasina won an election that was widely described as being marred by large-scale rigging, it was difficult to even imagine that her 15-year strong grip on power would suddenly come to an end, or that another party, which had nearly disappeared from the political landscape, would return with such intense public support. However, this is yet another shift in the ups and downs of Bangladeshi politics, where the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have alternated in power for decades. The only difference this time is that the BNP is now formally led by Tarique Rahman, and this is the first time he has personally contested in a general election. His mother, Khaleda Zia, who passed away last year after a prolonged illness, had led the party for four decades. She took over the responsibility after the death of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP and an important leader in Bangladesh’s War of Independence. In the past, when his mother was in power, Tarique Rahman faced allegations of benefiting from nepotism and was also confronted with corruption cases. Just five days before his mother’s death, he ended his 17 years of self-imposed exile and returned to Bangladesh from London. Although the 60-year-old Tarique Rahman had effectively acted as the party’s leader during and after his mother’s imprisonment and later during her illness, he is generally regarded as an untested leader. According to political scientist Nouvine Murshid, his lack of previous governing experience may actually work in his favor, because people want to give change a chance. They want to believe that new and positive change is possible, which is why there is an atmosphere of hope among the public. Following the election results, the BNP announced that its top priority would be the restoration of democracy in the country. This time, however, the situation appears somewhat different. The country’s youth, who played a prominent role in the “July Uprising” of 2024 that ultimately forced Sheikh Hasina to step down, have clear expectations. Nineteen-year-old student Tazin Ahmed, who participated in the protest movement, says: “We do not want to fight again. The former prime minister’s resignation was not our ultimate achievement. Our real success will be when the country becomes free of corruption and begins moving in the right direction, and when the economy becomes stronger.” Her cousin, 21-year-old Tahmina Tasnim, says: “Above all, we want unity among the people. We have a right to a stable state and a stable economy. We have been part of a popular movement and know how to resist. If the same conditions arise again, we also have the right to raise our voices again.” Since Sheikh Hasina’s removal, Bangladesh has faced incidents of unrest and violence during the tenure of interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Restoring law and order will be a top priority for the new government. At the same time, reviving the economy, reducing food prices, and creating job opportunities for the country’s large youth population are among the major challenges. Social affairs expert Samina Luthfa says that nearly all political parties face a lack of governing experience. Jamaat-e-Islami, considered the second-largest political party in Bangladesh and twice banned in the country’s history, has also won a significant number of seats for the first time. Its allied party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by the student leaders who led the protest movement, has managed to win six seats in its very first election. According to Samina Luthfa, Bangladesh is likely to see a parliament this time where many leaders will be entering the house for the first time. She adds that the young leaders of the NCP have much to learn. Leaders of other parties may be experienced politicians, but they lack practical experience in running the country. Therefore, the journey will not be easy, and the government will face tough challenges. Jamaat-e-Islami’s election manifesto emphasized secular and developmental points and made no clear mention of implementing Islamic law. However, the party’s website states that “Jamaat is active in the political arena because without political power, Islamic law cannot be implemented.” This stance has always raised the question of what its practical strategy would be if the party ever came to power. According to political scientist Nouvine Murshid, Jamaat’s performance in this election was not unexpected. She says that Jamaat is a well-organized political party and has worked consistently and systematically at the grassroots level for decades. However, Murshid adds that while this fact must be acknowledged, the problem is that Jamaat’s core ideology is non-democratic, gender discriminatory, and patriarchal in nature. On the other hand, Samina Luthfa says that all political parties have disappointed the women of Bangladesh. In the recent elections, just over four percent of the candidates were women. She says: “We women who were part of the July popular movement have seen all political parties fail to translate our collective struggle into formal political and electoral representation.” Luthfa emphasized that members of parliament should take immediate steps to nominate capable, honest, and deserving candidates to the reserved seats for women. Out of Bangladesh’s total 350 parliamentary seats, 300 members are directly elected by public vote, while 50 seats are reserved for women. These reserved seats are allocated to political parties in proportion to their electoral performance, and the parties themselves nominate candidates for them. The recent elections are being described as markedly different from those held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. This time, the contest was genuinely competitive, and the outcome was not clear before polling. In the context of claims about restoring democracy, when the BNP was asked whether it would support bringing the Awami League back into the political mainstream, senior party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “It is not our job to decide that.” He added: “It will take time for the Awami League to return to Bangladesh’s electoral process, because its credibility is under question. When you face allegations of killing your own citizens, oppression, and political vendettas, then it is the public who will decide what place that party will have in future politics.” Meanwhile, from exile in India, Sheikh Hasina has described Thursday’s elections as a “fraud and farcical election” and has demanded fresh polls in which the Awami League would also be allowed to participate. At present, there is intense public anger against her party. However, considering Bangladesh’s political history, it would be premature to say that the Awami League’s political role has ended permanently.
By Real content10 days ago in Chapters
How Black Pepper and Olive Oil Boost Vitamin Absorption Naturally
Adding black pepper or dressings (such as oil and vinegar) to your food may help you absorb more vitamins and minerals. Scientists believe this can increase the nutritional value of food. Black pepper has been a valuable spice for thousands of years because it gives food a distinctive flavor. The black pepper plant originally came from India, where it has been cultivated for more than 3,500 years. It became one of the most valuable commodities of the ancient world. Today, most of us sprinkle it over our meals for flavor without thinking much about it. However, adding black pepper to your food can do much more than enhance taste. It can increase the amount of nutrients you get from your meals. Black pepper contains a chemical that helps vitamins and other nutrients be more easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It has also been observed that tiny fat droplets found in milk and olive oil can improve the body’s access to nutrients. Scientists are now trying to use these effects to develop new types of fortified foods and to help people who struggle to absorb the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Despite the availability of highly nutritious foods, we still face a problem: our bodies can lose vitamins and minerals as they pass through the digestive system. Take sweet corn, for example. Corn kernels are undoubtedly rich in nutrients—they are full of fiber, protein, vitamins, and micronutrients such as potassium. However, the outer layer of the kernels is difficult for our bodies to break down, especially if we do not chew them thoroughly. David Julian McClements, a professor of food sciences at the University of Massachusetts in the United States, says: “When you eat corn, it often passes through your body undigested, with all the nutrients still trapped inside.” However, chewing corn properly releases the nutrient-rich pulp inside so it can be digested.
By Real content11 days ago in Chapters
India to Buy 114 Rafale Jets in $40 Billion Defense Boost Ahead of French President’s Visit
India on Thursday granted initial approval for the purchase of $40 billion (3.6 trillion Indian rupees) worth of defense equipment, including additional French Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
By Real content12 days ago in Chapters
Bangladesh Election 2026: BNP Victory Signals New Era for Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations and Regional Power Shift
After the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won Bangladesh’s general elections, the likely prime minister Tarique Rahman has been receiving congratulations from world leaders. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his desire to work with Bangladesh’s new leadership.
By Real content12 days ago in Chapters
Pakistan Launches PRSC-EO2 Satellite: SUPARCO Successfully Sends Second Indigenous Earth Observation Satellite into Orbit
Pakistan has announced another important milestone in its national space program by successfully sending its second indigenous Earth Observation Satellite into space.
By Real content12 days ago in Chapters
