Surrey home behind police tape after suspected extortion-related shooting
Surrey police are investigating another possible case of extortion after an early morning shooting.
Just before 1 a.m., police said officers responded to a shooting at a home in the 13400-block of 87A Street.
Officers say no one inside the home was injured, but the home was damaged and bullet casings were found outside. The Extortion Response Team has taken the lead in the investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey police’s non-emergency line.
As of Monday, April 20, Surrey police say there have been 87 reported extortion cases this year, 15 related shots-fired cases, two arson cases and 46 victims, 25 of whom are repeat victims.
Semi driver who drove over a tow truck and Mercedes given house arrest
A dramatic crash that saw a semi run over a tow truck, the truck’s flatbed and a Mercedes has resulted in an Alberta semi-truck driver being sentenced to house arrest.
The collision happened on Highway 1 west of Field, B.C. on Dec. 8, 2023. The Mercedes was stopped for excessive speeding and was being impounded at the time.
A B.C. Highway patrol officer, the tow truck driver and the Mercedes driver were on scene, but not injured in the collision. Video shared by RCMP shows the semi going up the tow truck’s flatbed trailer like a ramp and crashing over the tow truck and Mercedes in front of it.
In a press release, B.C. RCMP said everyone is lucky to be alive. Continued on Page 10...
Tickets for Punjabi pop concerts are selling fast
Two of the biggest global names in Punjabi music are set to take over Canada’s largest venues — underscoring the genre’s explosive rise worldwide.
Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla are launching Canadian tours drawing demand promoters say rivals some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Dosanjh kicks off the Canadian leg of his Aura World Tour in Vancouver on April 23, aiming to sell out B.C. Place.
“I’ve gone to various cities, I went to Coachella to see him,” said Preet Gill, a fan who has tickets for the upcoming Calgary show.
“He’s representing Punjabi culture on the world stage." Dosanjh, who is from Punjab, India, has released more than a dozen albums
over his career spanning two decades. He is also an actor in Hindi and Punjabi cinema, most recently starring in the 2026 release Border 2. Last year, Dosanjh turned heads as the first turban-wearing Indian artist to walk the Met Gala in New York. Gill's 12-year-old son, Amarveer, calls himself a super fan.
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Indian politician wrecks cricket pitch with tractor after not being invited
In a shocking incident that has left the cricket community stunned, a local politician allegedly drove a tractor onto a cricket ground and destroyed the pitch, forcing the abandonment of a tournament final. The bizarre episode, which took place in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district, has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage and raising questions about security and “VIP culture” in grassroots sports.
According to reports, the incident unfolded during the final of a local cricket tournament in Dharangaon. Just as the event was underway, the politician, reportedly
upset over not being invited as a guest, arrived at the venue and took drastic action.
Eyewitnesses claim he drove a tractor directly onto the pitch and began ploughing it, leaving the playing surface completely damaged within minutes.
Continued on Page 10...
A longtime Texas court interpreter who is being held in a federal detention facility after being detained by federal immigration officers says her arrest and detention has been a "degrading" experience. Meenu Batra, who has lived in the U.S. for about 35 years and has a "withholding of removal" order that prevents her from being deported to her home country of India due to fear of persecution, spoke to ABC News from El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, after she was arrested by authorities on March 17. Continued on Page 10...
Why Langley Township's $600M debt is city hall's biggest debate
A Metro Vancouver municipality is aggressively taking on debt to build community infrastructure, despite some residents' wariness of wading into the red.
Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward says borrowing more than $400 million during his term will allow Langley to build much needed amenities. "This is a different kind of pay-as-yougo approach, because we're spreading out the cost of a significant catch-up in infrastructure and facilities and parks," Woodward said.
The township, a rapidly urbanizing community of 132,000 residents about 30 kilometres southeast of Vancouver, has authorized $602 million in debt for various civic projects: fire halls, soccer fields, playgrounds, as well as city-managed housing.
It's the second highest debt in the province, and it means the township has the highest per capita debt load of any major city in B.C.
But Woodward said other local politicians should take a leaf out of Langley's books.
"I would suggest that maybe those politicians look to our model, maybe do a little bit more for their residents and taxpayers, like we are," he said, "Where we're delivering a real livable Langley, to go with the projections that we'll be adding another 100,000 people over the next 20 years."
He said using municipal debt allows the city to lock-in construction costs at current rates that will be cheaper now than in the future. The township said development revenues generated $95 million in 2024 and $101 million in 2025.
ICBC/Personal
It looks like a typical tourist photo, as British Columbia woman Barbara Welsh and her friends smile near the foot of the famous Pyramid of the Moon at the Teotihuacan site northeast of Mexico City on Monday.
But in the background, clambering the pyramid's stairs, a man in a checked shirt can be seen, carrying something in his right hand.
Moments later, he pulled out a gun and started shooting, sending people tumbling down the pyramid.
Officials have said they are working to understand the motive of the shooter, who reportedly planned the attack, played strange music, ranted about hating tourists and fired randomly.
"We didn't really know what it was," Welsh said of hearing the first shots.
29-year-old Delicia Li de Yong. It said the other injured people were from the United States, Russia, the Netherlands and Brazil. The youngest was a six-year-old boy from Colombia.
The identity of the Canadian woman who was killed has not yet been disclosed.
Authorities identified the attacker as 27-yearold Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, a native of Guerrero,
"And then we heard another one and then I looked up and it was like a waterfall of people just rolling down the Pyramid of the Moon."
Welsh said their private guide screamed at the group of seven B.C. women to run as soon as the gunfire sounded, and they took off toward the parking lot. Within five minutes, she said the group had boarded the tour van and the driver was fleeing the site. They could still hear the shooting from the van.
"We could still hear the shots as we were getting out of there. They went on for like over 20 minutes," she said.
Officials have confirmed a Canadian woman was killed and at least 13 other visitors were hurt in the attack. The injured were in stable condition, officials said. The Security Cabinet of Mexico identified the one Canadian taken to hospital as
Mexico, who they said arrived in Teotihuacan a day earlier in an Uber and stayed in a hotel. Then on Monday shortly before noon, while atop the Pyramid of the Moon, he began firing at tourists with an old revolver while holding a plastic bag containing 52 .38-calibre cartridges in his other hand, said Jose Luis Cervantes Martinez, the attorney general of the state of Mexico, which includes Teotihuacan.
The assailant, who acted alone, shot and killed himself, authorities said, and security officials found a gun, a knife and ammunition at the scene.
Welsh said her group was about halfway through their guided tour of the site when the shooting began.
She said she and one of her friends had climbed down the pyramid to rejoin the group minutes before the photo was taken, saying the altitude bothered them.
Teen guilty of conspiring 'to murder as many Jewish persons as possible' in unusual trial
A 17-year-old has been found guilty of conspiring to murder Jews in Ottawa, among other domestic terrorism charges, after an unusual one-day trial that preserves his rights to appeal.
The teen — inspired by ISIS and an unknown person who went by "Klm" and "Gh D" online — was planning to commit an attack sometime around Christmas 2023 using three pressurecooker bombs, according to a 50-page agreed statement of facts filed in Superior Court by federal Crown prosecutors Wednesday.
He planned to pack the bombs with thousands of 6.35 mm steel ball bearings "to maximize the death and injury caused by each," and to strap one of the bombs to himself to detonate at the end of his attack, the statement of facts reads.
"The specific location and targets of his plans shifted over time, but his overarching intention was to murder as many Jewish persons as possible in the attack," according to the document.
In addition, the teen shared instructions about explosives with another teen, asked him to obtain an illegal submachine gun, and discussed other possible plans involving knives, firearms and vehicles as weapons.
He also sent and received instructions on killing someone, as well as propaganda videos and nasheeds (Islamic vocal music) glorifying ISIS in Arabic and English.
Neither teen's name can be published due to a routine ban preventing the identities of charged youths from becoming public. The teen pleaded not guilty to four of the seven charges he faced and invited the judge to find him guilty. The unusual move is akin to the "no-contest" plea commonly heard in U.S. criminal courts. It means the teen accepts punishment without admitting guilt.
Justice Ian Carter then retired to read the lengthy facts. He ruled later Wednesday afternoon that the Crown had proven the essential elements of the four charges beyond a reasonable doubt and found the teen guilty of each of them:
• Committing an offence for a terrorist group by conspiring and agreeing with the other teen — as well as another individual and a person or persons unknown — to commit murder from August 2023 into December 2023.
• Facilitating terrorist activity by making available and exchanging instructional material and propaganda from August 2023 into December 2023.
• Instructing someone to carry out a terrorist activity against Jewish people in October 2023.
• Facilitating terrorist activity by possessing explosive substances — two bottles of 100% acetone, five pounds of an oxidizer and 6,000 ball bearings — the day he was arrested in December 2023. All of it was found in his bedroom.
The youth and his counsel are now free to appeal pre-trial rulings that didn't go his way about whether or not evidence should have been excluded, in addition to the findings of guilt.
A four-day sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, and Federal Crown prosecutors Kelly Reitsma, Giuseppi Cipriano and Jonathan Thompson will also ask for the teen to be sentenced as an adult.
B.C. mall owner, security company ordered to pay $1.8M to falsely arrested 18-year-old
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ordered the owner of Burnaby's Metropolis at Metrotown mall and a security contractor to pay more than $1.8 million in damages after they admitted to security guards injuring an 18-year-old during a detainment in November 2019.
Ivanhoe Cambridge — now operating as La Caisse — and Paladin Security were found to be liable for the plaintiff's injuries and the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that they dealt with due to the takedown and detainment.
The plaintiff suffered a concussion due to the detainment, and the court found they had severe headaches and sleep disturbances in the years afterward. Justice Francesca Marzari found that those injuries were caused by the actions of the security guards who detained them on Nov. 23, 2019 — and that Paladin had only undertaken a "cursory and deficient" investigation of the case.
"The stated justification for the plaintiff’s eviction and the use of force by the Paladin guards was, from the outset, mistaken and unfounded," Marzari said in her judgment.
"The plaintiff committed no offences."
The judge withheld the name of the plaintiff in the case, saying it was because of their young age at the time of the detainment.
According to the judgment, Paladin security guards were enforcing a previous banning order issued to the 18-year-old in August, after they jumped a gate while leaving the mall.
But the court found that the plaintiff was allowed to leave via the gate with a number of other mall patrons at the time, and that the banning order that was issued in August 2019 was only valid for 24 hours.
"The plaintiff was not a trespasser when they attended the [mall] in November 2019," Marzari wrote. According to the judgment, the plaintiff was
with a group of friends on Nov. 23, 2019, when security guards asked them to leave.
They began to comply, but stopped at a Champs Sports store to pick up a house key instead of heading straight to the mall exit.
That led to security guards following the group, according to the judgment — and when the teenager left the store, Marzari wrote that two guards "abruptly took hold" of them and put them in an arm lock.
"The security camera evidence confirms that the plaintiff was not pushing, kicking or 'throwing' themselves onto the ground at this point," the judgment reads.
After being marched through the mall, the judgment says the guards performed a takedown of the plaintiff just outside the mall.
The court heard that security guards had hit the youth's face down on the ground and several guards had climbed on top of them during the takedown.
Afterward, CCTV footage showed that a security guard pushed the plaintiff down a set of stairs onto a sidewalk. That was followed, according to the judgment, by one of the guards kicking the plaintiff in the ribs as they placed them in handcuffs.
"The plaintiff was walked back through the [mall] in handcuffs accompanied by a group of guards," the judgment reads.
'Surrey Six' murders mastermind Jamie Bacon released from prison
The mastermind behind B.C.'s most notorious gang killing has been released after completing his prison sentence for conspiracy to commit murder.
Former Red Scorpions gang leader Jamie Bacon was sentenced to 18 years in prison in September 2020 for his role in the so-called "Surrey Six" murders in 2007. After credit for time served in pre-trial custody, the sentence amounted to an additional five years and seven months.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), B.C.'s gang-focused police task force, confirmed Bacon's release, and added he was under unspecified conditions and a curfew.
CFSEU spokesperson Sgt. Sarbjit Sangha told CBC News Bacon will be monitored by Alberta provincial corrections officials and local police in
Edmonton.
The 2007 murders unfolded at Surrey's Balmoral apartment tower, where Bacon's associates had gone in search of gang rival Corey Lal.
At his sentencing for the Surrey Six killing, Justice Kathleen Ker described how Bacon had hatched a "diabolical" plot to have his rival killed because he did not want to look weak after Lal refused to hand over a drug line and pay a $100,000 "tax." But the attack spiraled out of control when Bacon's hitmen arrived to find Lal wasn't alone.
Lal's brother and two associates, as well as gas fitter Edward Schellenberg — who was on a service call — were inside the condo.
All six victims were forced to lie on the floor, where they were shot dead.
British Columbia doesn't intend to put U.S. products back on B.C. Liquor Store shelves until Canada's trade and tariff war with the United States has been resolved, the province's minister for jobs and economic growth says.
Ravi Kahlon made the comments Wednesday, after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a Senate hearing it was "outrageous" that Canadian provinces were maintaining the ban.
“I say to Canadians and British Columbians who want to drink Kentucky bourbon that they will have to wait until the tariffs that we have in place, that the U.S. have put in place, are resolved," Kahlon said.
“Not only have we not seen progress when it comes to the unjust tariffs that they have put on Canada and in particular the impacts in B.C., but we are constantly being disrespected, in media, in public statements, so we see no reason at this point to change our position at all.” B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association president and CEO Ian Tostenson said the now year-old ban is hurting the hospitality sector, and he'd like to see the province consider modifying it, at least for wholesale customers.
"The profitability from U.S. wines was about $150 million a year. It's dropped to $80 million, and the Liquor Distribution Branch has never made up that profit," he told CBC News.
"So its costing us $70-million bucks or so to do
what we've done, that's an awful lot of money."
The ban is also hurting the secondary industry of importers and distributers who the restaurant sector relies on, he said.
At the same time, he said some consumers are still buying U.S. products, either by going to private liquor stores who are selling off B.C.'s warehoused inventory, or by sourcing it from Alberta.
Tostenson said the hospitality industry remains a major backer of B.C. wine and spirits.
But he said many products can't be replaced one-for-one on a menu, and that the move leaves businesses shorthanded as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches.
"[If] the government decides not to sell them in the liquor stores like they do today, then at least let the private sector ... have the opportunity to do it," he said.
"And if people don't want to buy them, they won't want to buy them."
British Columbia was one of several provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, that pulled U.S. liquor products from shelves last year in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to make Canada the "51st state."
Those provinces account for nearly two-thirds of Canada's population, and the U.S. wine and spirits industries have since been vocal that the ban is having an effect on their bottom line. The U.S. has flagged the issue as a key irritant heading into contentious talks to renegotiate the Canada-U.S.Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on trade.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested the provinces could be quick to lift their bans if the U.S. walked back tariffs on key Canadian industries like steel, lumber and auto manufacturing.
"We can make progress very quickly on that with progress in other areas," Carney told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa on housing.
7 women win business awards at Surrey/White Rock gathering in Guildford
Seven were celebrated during the 2026 Surrey & White Rock Women in Business Awards on Thursday afternoon (April 16).
The annual luncheon, hosted by Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, filled a Guildford hotel ballroom to hear guest speaker Manjit Minhas and see award presentations in seven categories.
Award-winners for 2026 are Raman Dhaliwal of WR Mattress Gallery (Entrepreneur, Small Business category), Maxime Spakowski of Ferro Building Systems (Entrepreneur, Large Business), Paula Bude of Love This Therapy (Professional), Meghan Neufeld of BabyGoRound (Not-for-Profit Leader), Hermina Khara of Odgers (Corporate Leader), Nicole Heidari of SWR Drain Service (Emerging Leader) and Andie van der Eerden of Running on Faith Project (Social Trailblazer).
Nominations were judged on work in Surrey and/or White Rock, proven business acumen, leadership and community involvement and service.
“These leaders are not only shaping industries, they are also paving the way for future generations.”
Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade submitted the following bios for award-winners: Entrepreneur – Small Business Category: Raman Dhaliwal, WR Mattress Gallery
Raman Dhaliwal is the President and Owner of WR Mattress Gallery, a community-focused retailer specializing in high-quality, locally made sleep solutions. With 13 years of expertise, Raman has distinguished herself as a visionary leader who broke barriers in a male-dominated industry through resilience and knowledge of innovative products.
Entrepreneur – Large Business Category: Inc.
Maxime Spakowski is the President and CEO of Ferro Building Systems Ltd., a construction company she co-owns. Since joining in 2008, she has spent 18 years evolving the business from a small family operation into a thriving firm with $12 million in annual revenue. As a strategic leader, Maxime excels in a male-dominated industry by championing two-way communication and empowering her team.
Professional Category: Paula Bude, Love This Therapy
Paula Bude is the Founder and Clinic Director of Love This Therapy, a comprehensive counselling and psychology hub providing wrap-around
Continued from Page 1...
“I’ve never liked any other artist as much as I’ve liked Diljit,” he said. “I like his vibe, I like his essence, I like his aura.” Meanwhile, Juno Award winner Aujla — who immigrated to Canada after the death of his parents at a young age — begins his P-pop Culture Tour with back-to-back shows in Vancouver on May 2 and May 3. His tickets are going fast.
“We’re seeing Karan Aujla sell out quicker than most other artists,” said Baldeep Randhawa, a tour promoter with Live Nation.
“He’s the first Punjabi artist to do two nights at Scotiabank Arena [in Toronto] and two nights at Rogers Arena [in Vancouver] — and he’s not even 30," Randhawa said.
family support. With over 13 years of expertise as a Registered Clinical Counsellor, she has expanded her work to include business leadership, establishing a trusted centre that delivered over 21,750 sessions since its inaugural year. Paula’s milestone achievements include pioneering integrated Autism and ADHD programs, neurodivergent-affirming care and innovating through walk-and-talk therapy to increase accessibility.
Meghan Neufeld is a transformative leader with over 15 years of experience in social-profit management. In just three years as Executive Director of BabyGoRound, a local non-profit providing essential baby gear to vulnerable families, she expanded the operating budget, doubled program reach, secured multi-year grants and grew the organization by opening a location in Surrey.
Corporate Leader Category: Hermina Khara, Odgers
Hermina Khara, a seasoned executive with 20+ years of experience, brings transformative leadership to Odgers as a Partner. Odgers, a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm, empowers organizations by identifying and placing exceptional leaders. Hermina leverages her deep expertise in executive search to place top-tier talent across diverse sectors.
Emerging Leader Category: Nicole Heidari, SWR Drain Service Ltd.
Nicole Heidari serves as the Business Manager at SWR Drain Service Ltd., a leader in drainage, high-pressure flushing, and vacuum truck services. With 16 years of expertise, she played a key role in modernizing operations by assisting with the adoption of “cured-in-place piping” (CIPP), a sustainable alternative to traditional excavation.
Social Trailblazer Category: Andie van der Eerden, Running on Faith Project Andie van der Eerden is the Founder and Executive Director of the Running on Faith Project, a charity dedicated to empowering individuals in recovery centres and temporary housing. With over 10 years of lived experience, she leads walking and learn-to-run clubs that foster strength and self-esteem.
“We can compare them to most Top 40 artists,” Randhawa said. “Demand is there, as someone like a Kendrick [Lamar] or a Drake.”
In recent years, artists who don't sing in English have been dominating music charts, such as Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny, who recently performed at the Super Bowl, and Korean pop groups, BLACKPINK and BTS, which announced a Canadian stop for their highly anticipated comeback world tour. The tours come at a time when Punjabi music is riding a wave of popularity — borne out in massive streaming numbers. According to YouTube Canada, Aujla ranked as one of Canada’s top three most popular artists every single week so far this year, while Dosanjh consistently lands in the top 15.
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‘We Don’t Trust Pakistan’: Israeli Ambassador To India, Reuven Azar
By A. Jathindra:
H.E. Mr. Reuven Azar is the Ambassador of Israel to India and the Non-Resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Bhutan. He assumed his position as Ambassador of Israel to India in August 2024. Previously, he served as Ambassador to Romania, the Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council, and the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel.
Amid the uncertainty over how the war may ultimately conclude, Pakistan has taken the unexpected step of brokering a ceasefire. While this initiative is welcomed by many, particularly for its potential to ease economic pressures, questions remain about its durability and its long-term impact on the global economy. How do you interpret this move within the broader context of the conflict, especially in light of Israel’s absence from the direct negotiations?
The United States is the one leading the negotiations andit is doing so according to a 15 point plan that includes the removal of three existential threats from Israel. The military nuclear threat, the ballistic missile threat, and the support of Iran to proxies, terrorist proxies that have been throwing havoc not only against Israel and attacking it multiple times, but also against countries in the region. We trust the United States that they will be able to deliver long term stability and they have all the conditions to do so.
Thanks to the joint military operation that we have launched and thanks to the naval blockade that is now posing on Iran and only on the regime on Iran, that will give us the pressures that are needed in order to get an outcome. The fact that the negotiation is taking place in Pakistan means that Pakistan is a facilitator. We are not comfortable with that because we don’t trust Pakistan, but we trust the United States to deal with the issues and to concentrate in the substantive goals that we have mutually agreed on.
Historically, Pakistan’s public discourse has often reflected strong criticism of Israel and the United States. Even now, while seeking to mediate a ceasefire, it continues to voice pointed criticism of Israel. In light of this, how would you evaluate Pakistan’s intervention and its credibility as a mediator in such a sensitive conflict environment?
As I said, Pakistan is only a facilitator. We are not satisfied with the Pakistani role because we saw the unacceptable remarks of their Defense Minister. Fortunately, following pressure, he removed his hateful tweet. But that’s not
enough. I think that many countries in the region and in the world want to see the government of Pakistan stop sponsoring terrorism and radicalism. And until it does so, we will not consider them a reliable broker.
During these efforts, Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has issued statements describing both Israel and India as “true enemies” of the Islamic world. Considering that India and Israel have elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership in recent years, how do you view Pakistan’s reaction within this broader geopolitical context?
The enemies of the Islamic world are the radical Islamists that are killing Muslims more than anybody else all around the Muslim world. Both Israel and India have peaceful relations with most of the Muslim countries. Israel has signed peace agreements not only with Egypt and Jordan, also with the Abraham Accord countries. And we are seeing, following the recent conflict, many more countries approaching us. It means that in many countries in the Arab Muslim world, people are sick and tired of seeing this radicalism. And we are sure that by forging and further strengthening this special strategic partnership between Israel and India, we will be able to
have the means to confront terrorism in a much more efficient way.
There is a perspective that the dynamics of the conflict have shifted considerably since its outset. Iran appears to have leveraged the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic deterrent, using its capacity to disrupt maritime traffic and exert global economic pressure. How do you assess this challenge and its implications for regional stability?
The Iranian illegal activity to block the Straits of Hormuz has boomeranged terribly for them. First of all, because the entire world has condemned that move. Second, because it’s an act of terrorism and extortion on whom they called their friends. They are punishing their friends. And that will have repercussions on the future of the relations of the regime with the rest of the world. In addition to that, it has boomeranged because their naval capability has been completely destroyed by the United States. And in addition to that, there is now an effective naval blockade by the United States that actually has frozen all the Iranian regime naval activity, including on the civilian sphere. Now they are subject to pressure that can only result in a diplomatic outcome that will fit the 15 point plan put forward by President Trump.
Two wildfires burning out of control in BC
Two wildfires that ignited this week are burning out of control in B.C., according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The latest, discovered Wednesday, is 0.7 square kilometres and is rapidly spreading in the Cariboo Fire Centre, north of Itcha Igachuz Provincial Park and 1 1/2 kilometres north of Tsilbekuz Lake. The cause is unknown.
The other out-of-control blaze is the Stuart Lake wildfire that ignited Tuesday in the Prince George Fire Centre. That fire is mapped at 0.03 square kilometres and is believed to be human-caused.
Wildfire officials say that as of Wednesday evening there were 15 wildfires burning in the province. Of those, two are out of control, four are being held and nine are under control.
So far this year there have been 57 wildfires, scorching about 11.6 square kilometres.
The service says that heading into the 2026 wildfire season fuel conditions across B.C. are very dry from last season’s drought and recent warm and dry conditions.
Alberta will follow BC and stay on daylight saving time year-round, says Premier Smith
Alberta is going to daylight saving time all year round. Premier Danielle Smith and her UCP government have made the decision. It will go to the Alberta legislature for debate this week.
It means the time we are in now will be the time we are in for 12 months of the year.
Come the fall, the clocks will not fall back. Come next spring, the clocks will not spring forward.
“The time we are in right now is the time it will be,” says Smith.
Smith says with Alberta’s neighbours not changing their clocks, Alberta had to decide what to do.
So now, Alberta time will be the same time as Saskatchewan year-round and an hour later than B.C.’s Pacific time year-round.
Smith says polling shows the clear majority of Albertans want the same time all year. No more changing of the clocks.
The only question was whether to go all year with daylight saving time or standard time, which we have in the winter. Daylight time it will be. All year.
Smith adds she would like the time zone in Alberta to be known as Alberta Time. Nice and simple. The premier says in the winter, rather than going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, you will go to work in the dark but it will stay light longer at the end of the work day when folks are heading home to their families.
She says with the extra light when you go home
you can do more things in the evening.
The premier thinks you might save a few dollars because you are “not having to race home and turn all the lights on. It may reduce some of the costs on power bills.”
Bill Creighton has been a champion for daylight saving since day one. He is pictured near his home in Calgary, Alta., on Friday March 3, 2017.
What's the deal with daylight saving time in Alberta?
Professor of psychology and neuroscience Dr. Michael Antle, pictured in his office at the University of Calgary on March 3, 2026, is an expert on the circadian clock and a strong advocate for a switch to permanent standard time.
Calgary researcher advocates for ending daylight time as debate re-emerges.
Having winter mornings stay dark an hour longer does not faze Smith.
“I’m an early riser. I get up at six in the morning and it’s not going to change the time I get up.
“I can’t manufacture more sunlight in the winter. I wish I could. On the shortest day we get only about eight hours of sunlight.”
Smith says time will tell how Albertans will respond.
“People will have a chance to live it. When they don’t change the clocks in the fall and then they don’t change them again in the spring we will get a pretty good indicator whether or not people like that approach.
“I’m sure they won’t be shy in letting us know.
“I’m pretty optimistic the way we are with young families and all the activities and how busy people are I’m going to bet most people are going to enjoy the greater light in the evening.”
When clocks change, Instagram is full of funny videos of owners explaining to their pets why they’re not getting fed yet.
The premier laughs.
BC teacher fired, licence suspended over inappropriate student interactions and sick-leave fraud
A Saanich teacher was fired and had his teaching licence suspended after a series of inappropriate interactions with a former student and fraudulent use of sick leave for a vacation.
Alex Chen was a middle-school teacher in the Saanich school district when he repeatedly violated professional boundaries with a former student, said a decision from the B.C. commissioner for teacher regulation, posted Tuesday.
The decision outlined the violations, which occurred over two years after the student transferred to another school. It said Chen sent the student more than 80 emails, a gift card, and recommended the student listen to sexually explicit music. Chen also reached out to the student in the summer and during spring break, including a message sent just before midnight one New Year’s Eve, and showed up at games the student was scheduled to play in, even though he wasn’t involved in the games in a formal capacity as a coach or teacher.
spring break.”
The fraudulent use of sick days came a day after the district issued Chen a letter of discipline alleging he filmed personal social media content during work hours, which the district considered “time theft.”
In the videos, Chen identified himself as a teacher and “used artwork, thank-you cards and
The commissioner said Chen’s behaviour spanned a “significant” period of time and showed a lack of understanding of appropriate professional boundaries. Chen was also disciplined for the misuse of sick days.
Chen had scheduled three days of paid sick leave on March 11, 12 and 13, 2025, said the decision, when he “was not, in fact, sick, but had scheduled those days off so that he could fly to Japan on March 12, 2025, for a personal vacation over the
gifts created and/or provided by students, without express permission to do so,” said the decision. Chen was fired on May 5, 2025. Three days later, the district reported Chen to the disciplinary body.
As part of the consent resolution agreement, Chen admitted fraudulent use of sick days and that his contact with the student constituted professional misconduct.
The commissioner suspended Chen’s teaching certificate for two weeks and prohibited him from teaching until he completes a mandatory course on professional boundaries.
Teens used bear spray in Pokémon card robbery, say Vancouver police
Vancouver police say they arrested a trio of teenagers who allegedly used bear spray during a Pokémon card robbery this week.
The victim met with the suspects near East King Edward Avenue and Ontario Street around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, according to police, after arranging over Facebook Marketplace to sell two cards worth $7,000 each.
Instead, police say, the suspects used bear spray on the victim, then fled in a vehicle with the cards.
Vancouver police caught up with the suspects in Burnaby, but were only able to recover one of the victim's cards.
While most Pokémon cards hold little value, rare cards can sometimes be worth thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In one recent example, influencer Logan Paul sold a rare Pikachu Illustrator card for $16 million US.
That has led to an uptick in thefts and robberies as thieves seek to cash in on a portable and easyto-sell commodity.
Stores in the Lower Mainland were recently forced to boost security amid a spate of costly break-ins.
Last month, Vancouver police even turned to a sting operation to catch an alleged card thief.
Police are recommending charges against two 15-year-old boys and one 16-year-old boy in the Tuesday bear spray incident.
All three have been released from custody with conditions.
Investigators say the incident is a good reminder to anyone buying or selling goods to do so in a public place, including the VPD Safe Exchange Location situated outside the Vancouver Police Department headquarters at 2120 Cambie St.
Trial continues for man and woman in violent armed robbery of Surrey store
A trial is wrapping up for a man and a woman charged in a violent armed robbery in Surrey more than two years ago. Noor Design Studio was targeted by two individuals back in February 2024.
The jewelry store owner was shot four times but survived. Michael Oneischuck and Jenna Internman were charged with robbery and aggravated assault. Oneischuck is accused of pulling the trigger and faces three additional
firearm-related offences.
However, another man, Christopher Stack, has come forward, saying he was the gunman in the incident. Crown disagrees, saying Oneischuck’s DNA is linked to the case and Stack wasn’t a credible witness.
The judge gave the jury instructions on Wednesday morning before they began deliberations.
Canada wants reciprocity after Trump given ‘significant’ concessions, chief trade negotiator
Canada’s new chief trade negotiator to the U.S. said she wants to see “some mutuality” from Washington in recognition of “significant” concessions it’s already made to address President Donald Trump’s grievances, as a review looms for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
“The Canadian government has made some very significant — I would describe them as concessions — moves already,” said Janice Charette in her first major public remarks since Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed her to the role on Feb. 16.
She cited the removal of a digital sales tax on U.S. tech giants, the withdrawal of many retaliatory tariffs that former prime minister Justin Trudeau had put in place, and changes and investments to improve border security.
“So far it’s being pocketed,” she said. “And I think it will be important for us to see some mutuality in terms of the negotiating process.”
Charette told a Canadian Chamber of Commerce summit in Ottawa on Tuesday that she anticipated trilateral talks, for instance on automotive rules of origin, with bilateral agreements in addition to the “underlying” deal.
For progress on the CUSMA review, Canada wants to revisit Trump’s sectoral tariffs hitting key export sectors like steel, aluminum and autos, first. “Our ability to make significant progress on the sectoral tariffs is essential for us to get to a conversation around the CUSMA review process,” Minister for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. in an interview on Tuesday.
The two sides had been close to striking a deal for relief on the metals tariffs last year, but Trump terminated negotiations in October in retaliation for TV ads run in the U.S. by Canada’s province of Ontario, which quoted former President Ronald
Reagan speaking against tariffs, LeBlanc said in a separate interview on CTV News.
“We think the United States at one point will conclude that it puts inflationary pressure on a series of goods in the United States,” LeBlanc said to
the CBC. “But the United States has to come to that conclusion themselves. When they do, good news, we’re ready with a series of very specific offers that we think will incentivize that movement.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on Dec. 5, 2025.
Charette said Canadians shouldn’t expect issues to all be resolved by July 1, a scheduled date for countries to review CUSMA. Parties are pursuing a comprehensive solution rather than a fast one, she said, stressing that the date is “a checkpoint — it’s not a cliff.” “We’re in a negotiating process, so you’re not going to hear a lot of public bouquets necessarily thrown our way,” she said. “Not all progress is going to be visible here.”
If the countries agree to a renewal, the accord would remain in force for another 16 years. If that doesn’t happen, it could trigger annual reviews for a decade until the deal’s expiration in 2036.
Investigation into Tumbler Ridge shooting has entered final stages: premier
Premier David Eby said the police investigation into the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting is in its final stages. Eby offered the update during a meeting with Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka almost three months after Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people, including six schoolchildren, then herself. Eby said RCMP told the Ministry of Public Safety that the police investigation is coming to an end.
"They didn't share a timeline, or how much time was left in the investigation, but just that it is in its final stages, and we will watch very carefully, and hopefully, we will see an update from them soon," Eby said on Wednesday.
The premier said he had shared that information with Krakowka before meeting with reporters in the premier's office.
Chief Coroner Dr. Jatinder Baidwan last month announced an inquest into the shooting, saying that his office would announce more details about the timing and location after police finish their investigation.
Krakowka said he has spent several days in Victoria meeting with provincial officials and legislators to make sure that his small community in northeastern B.C. has the resources that it needs.
"We are about 2,600 people in Tumbler Ridge," he said. "I think it's important to come down and speak on behalf of the community. I support my community. I fight for my community, whether that's with government or other agencies."
Provincial resources that include mental health professionals who have been helping residents cope with the shock and grief have made a big difference, the mayor said.
"The support that we have received from the provincial government, and the backing from the provincial government has been phenomenal for our community," Krakowka said.
People in Tumbler Ridge are grieving in a variety of ways in a process that Krakowka said
Pedestrian struck by car and killed in Maple Ridge
A pedestrian was struck by a car and killed early Thursday in Maple Ridge.
RCMP say that shortly before 6 a.m. officers were called out to the 26000-block of Lougheed Highway for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Investigators say the man was hit by a car while trying to corral his dogs. Paramedics tried to save his life but he died.
The roads between 272nd Street and 240th Street are closed while RCMP investigate.
BC wants to keep cash found at Port Coquitlam home of accused killer
When homicide investigators arrived at the Port Coquitlam house of accused killer Alan Taheri last December, someone inside threw a gun and a bag full of drugs out a window.
Taheri was charged Dec. 19, 2025 with seconddegree murder and indignity to human remains in the slaying six years earlier of Edi Bogere, whose body was found in Maple Ridge just weeks after he vanished.
Details of the drugs and cash found during Taheri’s arrest are laid out in a lawsuit filed against Taheri by B.C.’s director of civil forfeiture.
Officers from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and an emergency response team arrived at the house on McPherson Drive days before Christmas to arrest Taheri in connection with the 2019 murder, the director’s lawsuit says.
As they arrived, an “unknown person threw a handgun and a shopping bag from a window of the property,” the lawsuit said.
Police seized the gun and bag, which contained $8,445, 10 cellphones, a bag with 427 grams of methamphetamine inside, 10 more plastic bags with a total of 271.31 grams of meth, 53 grams of cocaine, 40.9 grams of fentanyl and 7.84 grams of ecstasy pills.
“The money was bundled or packaged in a
will take a long time.
"Some have started grieving … and some others haven't," Krakowka said.
"It was Feb. 10. It feels like yesterday to me, but it has been a few months. But our youth are strong. The children are strong there. I think they have a different outlook than us as adults," he said.
The meeting came amid continuing calls from the Conservative Party of B.C. for a full public inquiry. Peace River-South MLA Larry Neufeld, who represents Tumbler Ridge in the legislature, repeated the call just before Eby and Krakowka met with the media.
"I'm demanding that the Premier commit to what the people of Tumbler Ridge deserve, and that is a public inquiry," he said. Claire Rattee, the Opposition critic for mental health and addictions,
said during the same news conference that a full public inquiry would have a broader scope than an inquest. It would go beyond the facts behind the deaths, assign blame and look at larger systems, she said. "I think what needs to be answered right now is what failed within these systems," she said. "We know that this is a community that hasn't had adequate access to health care services in general, but certainly around mental health care and support for mental illness."
Eby said on Wednesday that the coroner's inquest will offer valuable insights, but he has also said government will use all available tools to answer any outstanding questions. Last month, Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger said a joint commission with the federal government could look into the shooting without committing to it.
manner not consistent with standard banking practices, including wrapped in elastic bands, including multiple elastic-bound bundles of exactly $1,000,” the claim said.
The director said the cash should be forfeited as it was derived from illegal activities, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime, money laundering and failure to declare income tax. Taheri was also involved in sending contraband to a correctional centre, the lawsuit alleged.
The director noted that Taheri “has convictions for counselling an indictable offence, possession of a weapon, possession of firearms or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, failure to comply with probation order and breach of a conditional sentence order.” Charges have been laid in the 2019 death of Edi Bogere. He was last seen leaving his Coquitlam home on Dec. 27, 2019. His body was found in a vacant forested lot in Maple Ridge on Jan. 11, 2020.
Taheri is due in a Port Coquitlam courtroom this week on charges unrelated to the murder, but will make his next appearance on May 11 in connection with Bogere’s killing.
Bogere, 24, was a gifted soccer star who played for Coquitlam’s Sparta SC U-18 squad that won the Canadian National Championship. He was last seen alive as he left his Coquitlam home at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2019. His body was found Jan. 11 in a vacant forested property in the 24500-block of Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge.
Police said at the time that the killing was neither random nor gang-related.
When Taheri was arrested, IHIT said it took years of investigation “to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr. Bogere’s death which resulted in the identification of the suspect.”
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“Luckily the tow truck operator, the police officer, and the Mercedes driver were safely off to the side of the road, or they would certainly have been killed,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “The tractor-trailer driver could easily have died as his truck rolled over and he became trapped.”
The driver from Alberta, 38-year-old Dalvir Singh Jhattu, was found guilty on April 8 of dangerous driving and sentenced to a six-month conditional sentence order, 90 days of house arrest, a 12-month Canada-wide driving ban, and not to be in possession or consumption of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating substances.
The RCMP press release said it is a reminder that by law when you see the flashing lights of a
tow truck, you are required to slow down to 70 kilometres per hour and move to the furthest lane from the tow truck or emergency vehicle.
“Normal speed limits exist for ideal conditions,” said McLaughlin. “When road workers or emergency responders are at the side of the road, you are legally required to slow down even more.”
Neighbours of several vacant properties in Surrey’s Campbell Heights community say vandalism and crime are creating a safety issue.
Early Wednesday morning, a fire broke out at one of the buildings, but neighbours say there have been many issues over the last few years, including dumping stolen vehicles on the properties.
Debbie Scheffer told Global News that she has been complaining about this property for the last few years.
The land has become a dumping ground, home to squatters and vandalism. Another abandoned house on the block also caught fire six months ago.
Sheffer told Global News that she has called the police, the fire department and bylaw officers, and written letters to the city, all to no avail.
“It’s very frustrating,” she said.
“Just gets passed around, but it always gets pushed back to whoever’s got the concern to phone in.”
Fire investigators were on scene on Wednesday.
The City of Surrey was asked for comment, but failed to provide Global News with a statement.
The city can fine negligent owners or seek court injunctions; ultimately, it is up to the owners of the property to have it maintained.
Global News tried to track down the owners, but was unable to.
According to Sheffer, the company that owns the property is looking to turn the lot into truck parking, but she said that the owners are no longer communicating with neighbours.
“I even spoke to the owner, one of them, and I explained, like, you know, this isn’t what we do as neighbours,” she said.
The fire left several trees badly damaged and there are concerns about the natural gas lines in the area.
Texas court interpreter detained by ICE at airport says she's been 'humiliated and treated like a criminal'
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Batra, a 53-year-old single mother of four adult U.S. citizens, has been a certified court interpreter for more than 20 years, and her language skills in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu have led her to frequently travel through Harlingen airport, said her attorney, Deepak Ahluwalia. According to Batra's sworn affidavit, she was questioned at the TSA checkpoint, where an ICE officer stopped her and asked, "Do you know that you are here illegally?" to which she responded, "No." She said she told the officer that she has been granted withholding of removal and has a valid work authorization, to which he responded, "That doesn't mean you can be here forever."
family members of service members, veterans, and enlistees while they pursue permanent legal status.
"I hope to see her for my graduation and when I go to boot camp. But if I'm serving my army, working like a dog while my mom is being detained, even though my country swore they will help any and all immigrants, that's kind of upsetting and disappointing," Dolezal told ABC News.
She said she was then handcuffed and taken into an unmarked white SUV. Batra states that at least four officers were involved with her arrest; two got into the car and the other two left.
Batra told ABC News that she was taken to an ICE field office in Harlingen that she recognized as where she had previously gone to renew her work authorization. Officers then made her pose for a photo, with two officers on either side of her, for "social media," which made her feel "humiliated and treated like a criminal," she said.
Batra's 18-year-old son, Jasper Jai Dolezal, said he was "shocked" when he heard of his mother's detention, and said he had expedited his military enlistment so he could apply for a military parole-in-place application that grants temporary permission to remain in the U.S. for
Batra described her arrest as a "sinking feeling," and said that her detainment has felt like "the longest month of her life."
According to her attorney, Batra was born in India and fled to the U.S. when she was a teenager, after her parents were killed during a state pogrom against Sikhs in the 1980s. She applied for asylum when she arrived. In 2000, an immigration judge in New Jersey granted her withholding of removal status, which is granted to individuals who can prove it is more likely than not that they will face persecution if they are returned to their home country.
According to the American Immigration Council and National Immigrant Justice Center, a person who is granted withholding of removal is "protected from being returned to his or her home country and receives the right to remain in the United States and work legally" -- however that person "cannot petition to bring family members to the United States, and does not gain a path to citizenship."
El Niño risk for Fiji possible – Fiji Met
Fiji is expected to remain under ENSO-neutral conditions through to June, with a possible shift to El Niño later in the year, according to the latest Fiji Ocean Outlook released by the Fiji Meteorological Service.
The outlook indicates above-normal sea surface temperatures in waters around the Northern Division, Koro, northern Lau Group and Rotuma, while the rest of the country is likely to experience near-normal conditions between May and July.
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is also expected to shift south of its usual position, remaining within Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone
during the same period. Fiji Met has issued a coral bleaching “Watch” alert for waters north of Vanua Levu, including Rotuma, while the rest of Fiji’s waters remain under “No Stress” conditions.
Sea levels are forecast to be below normal across the Western and Central Divisions, much of the Eastern Division, and the south-west coast of Bua. However, Rotuma is expected to experience above-normal sea levels, with near-normal levels elsewhere. Authorities say the outlook provides important guidance for marine, fisheries and climate-sensitive sectors as conditions evolve in the coming months.
Chief Justice closes Vakarisi case
The matter of Jone Vakarisi was called today before Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
The State made an application for abatement of proceedings due to the death of Mr Vakarisi.
The court requested medical cause of death certificate. The State obtained the same after approval for release of the certificate was granted by the Director CID and submitted it in court.
Upon consideration of the medical evidence, the Court granted the abatement application and the matter has now been closed.
This matter is a review of the sentence imposed earlier this year by the Suva Magistrate’s Court after Mr Vakarisi pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and
damaging property committed in 2023.
He was sentenced to an aggregate term of three months, suspended for two years.
Mr Vakarisi earlier this month was given time to go through the state’s submission and give his reply. The matter was originally listed for hearing this morning.
Police investigate death at military facility
Police have been called in to investigate the death of an individual at a military facility, with limited details available at this stage.
It is understood the individual had been taken into custody in relation to a recent attempted break-in at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces armoury. In a brief statement, the Fiji Police Force
confirmed the matter is under investigation.
“We can confirm receipt of a report of a case of interest whereby an individual had lost his life at the said facility, which is now under investigation. We will release more details soon,” police said.
Authorities have yet to disclose the circumstances surrounding the death as investigations continue.
Man to face court over Lautoka murder
A 22-year-old man will be produced at the Lautoka Magistrates Court today in relation to the alleged murder of an 18-year-old woman.
Police said the victim was found lying motionless in a park in Lautoka on December 5, 2025, after a report was lodged at the Lautoka Police Station.
The woman, a resident of Rifle Range, was later identified and a post-mortem examination
confirmed the case as murder.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Lautoka have since charged the accused with one count of murder, following consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Police say he charges were laid after new forensic evidence was obtained. The accused is expected to appear in court today.
Osbourne calls for independent investigation
The life of the father of my children mattered.
These were the words of Queenie Osbourne after police confirmed Jone Vakarisi’s death was being treated as an alleged murder.
“As the mother of his children, we carry the unbearable responsibility of explaining this loss to our children and family who must now grow without their father,” said Ms Osbourne in a statement.
“Our extended family including his parents and loved ones are navigating grief compounded by uncertainty and unanswered questions.
“The emotional and psychological toll is immense and ongoing.”
Ms Osbourne called for an independent and transparent investigation on the death of Vakarisi.
“In light of these developments, we respectfully but firmly call for a fully independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death, a full disclosure of all findings, including medical, forensic, and custodial records, accountability for any actions or omissions that contributed to his death, responsible public communication and restraint to prevent further harm to our children and family and assurance that no other family will endure such a loss under similar circumstances.
Energy transition gaps risk widening inequality
Fiji’s transition to renewable energy could deepen inequality if not managed inclusively, according to the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026.
The report warns that the costs and benefits of energy transitions are often unevenly shared, with vulnerable groups bearing the heaviest burden.
In Fiji, while renewable electricity levels are high during favourable hydrological conditions, continued reliance on diesel in outer islands has reinforced perceptions that the benefits of clean energy are concentrated in urban centres.
This imbalance, the report says, risks undermining public trust in national renewable energy strategies.
ESCAP also highlighted broader regional concerns, noting that transitions can lead to job losses, rising energy costs and reduced fiscal support in fossil-dependent areas, disproportionately affecting low-income communities.
The report further raised concerns about how
renewable projects are implemented, pointing to issues such as limited community consultation, centralised land acquisition and unequal benefit sharing.
Without inclusive dialogue and transparency, ESCAP warned, such projects could face resistance, legal challenges or political backlash, potentially delaying or reversing reforms.
The findings underscore the need for Fiji to ensure a “just transition” — one that balances environmental goals with social equity and community inclusion.
Student allegedly beaten in hostel
A year 9 student of a prominent high school in Lautoka was allegedly beaten last Saturday by a senior boy in the hostel.
Speaking to this newspaper, his mother, Melaia Adimate claimed her son was a victim of bullying by a boarder.
Ms Adimate said the 14-year-old suffered injuries which required medical attention.
“We took him to the hospital on Saturday, and we are back here at the hospital today (Monday) for review,” she said.
Ms Adimate said her son was also bullied by the border last month and was suspended for three weeks.
She claimed that her son was marked by the boarder for not giving his snacks to him.
“We urge all authorities and institutions to treat this matter with seriousness, integrity and humanity it demands.”
Meanwhile, investigators have begun their inquiry into the alleged murder. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said investigators were actively pursuing all lines of inquiry.
“The investigation into the death of Jone Vakarisi has been classified as murder,” she said.
“Investigators are in the process of gathering information to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.
“The heads of the two institutions are reaffirming their commitment towards the conduct of a thorough investigation, appealing once again to members of the public to allow the investigative process to run its course.”
“I have lodged a report at the Lautoka Police, and they will be in school to address this issue.” Questions sent to police and Education Minister Aseri Radrodro remain unanswered.
Nepali minister steps down to allow financial investigation
Nepal's Minister of Home Affairs Sudan Gurung resigned from his position on Wednesday, saying he was stepping down to ensure a "fair investigation" of his financial affairs.
He's the second minister in the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah to lose his position since the former rapper and Kathmandu mayor won elections last month on the back of anti-corruption youth protests that toppled the previous government.
Gurung said he had "taken seriously" public questions and comments regarding his stock market investments and other financial issues. The 38-year-old said that he was stepping down from his role as interior minister to ensure an impartial investigation and avoid any conflict of interest.
governance, transparency and accountability has also given the same message." Dipa Dahal, an aide to new Prime Minister Balendra Shah, told the Reuters news agency that Gurung had submitted his resignation to the prime minister, "who will look after the home ministry for now."
Shah, 35, became prime minister when his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has promised to control corruption and provide good governance and transparency, comfortably won last month's parliamentary election, claiming 182 of 275 available seats. The former rapper had gained popularity during his three-year stint as mayor of the capital Kathmandu for his reforms.
"For me, morality is greater than office, and there is no greater power than public trust," Gurung wrote on Facebook. "The Gen Z movement that is rising in the country today demanding good
Earlier this month, Shah dismissed his labor minister, Dipak Kumar Sah, saying he had misused "the dignity of his position" to get his wife appointed as a member of the board of directors of the health insurance board.
Hospital reuses syringes, infects hundreds of children
Nightmarish scenes are playing out in one hospital in Taunsa, a city located in the central Punjab province of Pakistan. According to a devastating investigation by the BBC Eye, at least 331 children have tested positive for HIV between November 2024 and October 2025. The infections seem to trace back to a single facility, THQ Taunsa Sharif, a public hospital run by provincial authorities. After an undercover filming operation that lasted just 32 hours, the BBC identified 10 separate occasions where the same syringe was reused for the same multi-dose drug vial. Four of those cases involved the same vial given to different children. If just one of those children happens to
be positive for HIV, the other three could easily become carriers of the debilitating virus.
“They filled the same syringe and gave it to one child, then filled it again and gave it to another,” one family member of an HIV-infected child told the news agency.
In other words, hospital staff were using the same syringe on multiple patients, which contaminated the multi-dose vial in turn.
“Even if they have attached a new needle, the back part, which we call the syringe body, has the virus in it, so it will transfer even with a new needle,” Altaf Ahmed, a leading Pakistani infectious disease expert told the BBC.
SOUTH ASIA
Crime Conundrum In Sindh
On April 17, 2026, a Policeman, identified as Constable Khadim Ali Shah, was killed and another Constable, identified as Mohammed Tufail Khan, was injured in an attack by armed assailants in Manghopir area of Orangi Town in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the attack. On April 17, 2026, Security Forces (SFs) arrested three TTP terrorists during a joint operation in the Lyari town of Karachi. Arms and ammunition, including a 30-bore pistol and 18 rounds, were recovered from their possession. During initial interrogation, the terrorists reportedly made key disclosures, revealing plans to carry out a major attack in Karachi.
On April 10, 2026, a worshipper, Rehan, son of Ghulam Nabi, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a mosque in Sector 5C-1 within the limits of the Khawaja Ajmer Nagri Police Station in Karachi. The incident occurred when armed motorcyclists opened fire on Rehan at the entrance of the Farooq-e-Azam Masjid, shortly after Fajr prayers.
related fatalities, including eight terrorists, one civilian and one SF personnel, have been reported in the current year in Sindh, thus far (data till April 19, 2026). During the corresponding period of 2025, the province recorded 12 fatalities (seven SF personnel, five civilians and one terrorist). Meanwhile, during the whole of 2025, Sindh recorded 49 terrorism-linked fatalities (26 civilians, 16 SF personnel and seven militants), as compared to 38 fatalities (15 civilians, 14 SF personnel and nine militants) in 2024, an increase of 28.94 per cent.
Civilian fatalities jumped from 15 in 2024 to 26
On April 10, 2026, in a joint operation with a Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA), the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) arrested a target killer linked to the banned Shia outfit, Zainabiyoun Brigade, near University Road in Karachi. According to a statement issued by CTD, “During the operation, the team arrested target killer Muhammad Farhan Khan, son of Muhammad Ismail, and recovered a 9mm pistol along with a loaded magazine containing eight bullets. The pistol was used in the 2023 targeted killing. He has been involved in multiple sectarian and religious terrorist activities in the past.”
According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), 10 terrorism-
in 2025, an increase of 73.33 per cent. Similarly, SF fatalities increased from 14 in 2024 to 16 in 2025. Meanwhile, terrorist fatalities decreased from nine in 2024 to seven in 2025.
Other parameters of terrorism also increased in the province in comparison to the previous year. There were five major incidents (each involving at least three fatalities) in 2025, as compared to four in 2024. Similarly, the resultant deaths from major incidents increased from 13 in 2024 to 19 in 2025.
The prominent major attack of 2025 happened on August 26, when TTP terrorists opened fire near the Faqira Goth area on the Site Super Highway in Karachi, killing four people and injuring one. TTP released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack.
Calling it a “historic win for consumers,” 63-year-old Bela Prasad, a resident of Sector 9-B, Chandigarh, reacted to the order of the Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directing Punjab National Bank (PNB) to pay Rs 1 crore for the loss of jewellery from her locker, along with Rs 1 lakh as compensation for mental agony, harassment and litigation costs.
Speaking to Bela Prasad and her husband Pradeep Prasad said such decisions would make consumers more aware of their rights.
Bela Prasad said her faith in the banking system was shaken when bank officials informed her that her locker had been broken open and allotted to another person without her consent.
She alleged that bank officials refused to listen to her concerns. She approached various authorities, including the Banking Ombudsman, the Reserve Bank of India, the Department of Public Grievances,
and even the Prime Minister’s Office, but her complaints were closed without any relief. She said that on January 13, 2021, she received an SMS from the bank asking her to visit the branch. When she visited the bank on January 19, 2021, two packets were shown to her which did not belong to her, and she immediately lodged a written protest.
She added that people have faith in the banking system, but such incidents damage the reputation of the entire system.
Defying orders, illegal resort continues to run on forest land
An alleged illegal resort built on forest land in the Anandpur Sahib area of Punjab has sparked controversy, with villagers and officials claiming that commercial activities continue despite orders from the district administration, Forest Department and an ongoing police case.
An official communication dated March 10, 2026, was written by the Ropar ADC to the Rupnagar SSP. It highlighted complaints of unauthorised construction and environmental violations, directing the authorities to verify facts and initiate legal action, if irregularities were confirmed. The communication pointed out that the construction was being carried out without mandatory approvals and compliance certificates, in violation of the environmental norms and landuse regulations.
According to the complaint, the site where the resort is being run falls under regulated provisions where prior permissions are essential, under environmental laws and regional planning
regulations. Allegations include illegal land-use change, excavation and improper handling of waste, all of which pose a threat to the surrounding ecosystem.
Despite the fact that the complaint to the police was sent over a month ago, no case has been registered so far.
A separate case has already been registered under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, along with other relevant forest and environmental laws. That case stems from an earlier incident in February 2025, when forest officials conducted a raid and found machinery, including a JCB and tractors, engaged in illegal excavation on protected land. The accused were identified and formal proceedings initiated on February 18, 2025. Local residents, however, allege that operations at the resort have not ceased.
Jarnail Singh, a resident of Mohiwal village where the resort is located, said events continue to take place at the site.
Flood-hit border farmers get record wheat yield in Dera Baba Nanak
From flood devastation to record wheat yield, a community-led effort in the border belt of Dera Baba Nanak has emerged as a model of resilience and coordinated action. The mission, which began on August 26 last year, is set to conclude successfully this week with the harvesting of the crop. Farmer Harinder Singh Guraya from Ransike ka Talla achieved a record yield of over 27 quintals per acre by sowing wheat in two rows on raised beds using a drill, a level never recorded in the area before.
In Bariar village, Sarpanch Lakhwinder Singh adopted four-row wheat sowing with a bed planter, and harvesting is underway. The initiative
was led by a farmer producer organisation — Young Innovative Farmers (YIF) — and NGO Roundglass Foundation under the guidance of former agriculture secretary Kahan Singh Pannu, with support of volunteers from Bhuri Wale and Baba Chole Wale groups from Hoshiarpur, experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), pensioners, NRIs and several organisations.
Gurbinder Singh Bajwa of the YIF said the mission focused on reviving flood-affected farmland through scientific practices. Soil testing revealed a deficiency of potash, leading to the application of 25 kg per acre. Advanced machinery such as multi-crop bed planters and super seeders.
Punjab Govt signs pact with Finnish varsity
The Punjab Government has signed a pact with Finland’s University of Turku for a training programme for teachers of government schools in the state. As part of this initiative, close to 300 teachers will undergo a training programme in May. The programme focuses on adapting global expertise to local classroom contexts while building scale through a structured train-the-trainers model. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the Kukulo-Moikoinen Early Childhood Education and Care Centre. “This initiative is already yielding results by aligning global pedagogical expertise with local classroom realities,” said the Chief Minister.
Mann added, “It is designed not as a short-term intervention but as a long-term institutional effort to embed child-centred and play-based learning in the state’s education system, alongside inclusive teaching practices.”
The CM announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of the kin of each dead in the tragic Bassi Pathana road accident last week. He said each injured would be given Rs 50,000. Eight people were killed and 25 injured in the mishap near Main Majri village in Bassi Pathana. The bus was carrying devotees who were returning from Anandpur Sahib.
Designated terrorist Arsh Dalla declared proclaimed offender
A local court in Patiala has declared Canadabased gangster-turned designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, a native of Moga district, a proclaimed offender. The order came after he failed to appear in the court in a criminal case. An FIR was reportedly registered at the Sanaur police station on October 4, 2024, under multiple provisions of the BNS and the Arms Act. The case named several accused, including Gursevak Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Harbans Singh and Sukhveer Singh, all residents of Mansa district, along with Sandeep Singh of Muktsar district.
Police investigations revealed that the accused were part of an organised gang involved in extortion, robbery and intimidation of traders and businessmen using illegal weapons.
During the probe, the name of Arsh Dalla also surfaced as an alleged key figure linked to the gang. Subsequently, he was nominated in the case. Despite proclamation orders issued against him under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Dalla failed to appear in the court. Taking note of his continued absence, the court declared him a proclaimed offender.
Punjab Police arrest MP Amritpal Singh in Ajnala violence case post-NSA detention
The Amritsar police on Thursday arrested Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh from Dibrugarh Jail in connection with the Ajnala police station violence case following the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). He was produced before the Ajnala Sub-Divisional Court via videoconferencing from Dibrugarh after the arrest.
The police sought a 15-day remand for further investigation into the case. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted only twoday police custody. During this period, Amritpal will remain lodged at the Dibrugarh police station.
After the state government cited security and law and order concerns in case of his production in Amritsar, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had recently permitted the state to keep
him lodged in the Dibrugarh Jail even after the expiry of his NSA detention and following his arrest in the Ajnala case. It also allowed all proceedings, including police and judicial remand, to be conducted virtually from Dibrugarh. On Thursday, defence counsel Harpal Singh Khara and Rituraj Singh submitted that the police sought remand for interrogation regarding alleged recovery of weapons and vehicles, including the van, which "carried" the palki (palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib, apart from probing the conspiracy angle and the alleged formation of the Anandpur Khalsa Force during Amritpal's tenure as chief of the Waris Punjab De organisation. The defence argued that the case, already under trial before an Ajnala court, was currently at the evidence stage.
India pushes for terror tag for TRF at UN
India has reiterated its push for the designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation at the United Nations, even as it renewed its call for sweeping reforms of global governance structures to reflect contemporary realities. Responding to queries on recent highlevel engagements in New York, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Secretary (West) Sibi George held a series of meetings, including with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, where key issues on India’s multilateral agenda were discussed.
George, who was in New York, also addressed deliberations linked to UN processes, including discussions around reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a long-standing priority for New Delhi.
On India’s efforts to secure the designation of TRF — proxy of Pakistanbased terror outfit Lashkare-Taiba — the MEA said the matter remains under active consideration within the UN system.
“In regard to TRF, I can say that the monitoring team is considering this, and we continue to push hard,” Jaiswal said, underlining India’s sustained diplomatic campaign.
Inside India's mega census drive
Sukhwinder Kaur battles the scorching sun as she trudges door-to-door in New Delhi as part of India's colossal exercise to count more than one billion citizens.
Kaur is among three million census enumerators fanning out across cities and villages in an exercise that will help shape policy for the country's estimated 1.4 billion people for years to come.
Billed as the world's largest population count, the census is being held in two phases at a cost of $1.25 billion, according to the government.
Last week, the heat became overwhelming for Kaur, a government school teacher.
"I went back home, but returned again in the evening," said Kaur, who will be paid 25,000 rupees ($270) for the assignment, like other census enumerators. Feebly knocking on a door in the servants' quarters of an upscale housing society, Kaur, 38, tried to explain the purpose of her visit to an elderly resident. "Because we have been handling children, we have, in a way, learned how to deal with all kinds of people," she said.
"Some speak politely, some behave strangely but we know how to handle them."
In the first phase, census takers ask 33 questions related to water, sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel and internet. The second phase next year will focus on economic status as well as the more contentious question of caste -- the millenniaold social hierarchy that is deeply entwined with Indian politics and welfare entitlements.
As in the past, census results will be released in phases starting late next year.
The Hindu-majority nation faces mounting challenges in providing housing, electricity and other basic needs to its growing population.
Many of its megacities are already grappling with water shortages and overcrowded slums.
The government says the first phase "forms an essential foundation for evidence-based planning and formulation of welfare and development programmes." In the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, teacher Sheikh Shavali held on to his cap to shield against the sun as he made his way through the cramped lanes of Maya Bazaar. Enumerators have to survey 20-25 houses a day but Shavali, 50, has no complaints.
Most of the houses in the area, dotted with open drains, do not have a toilet. Residents have to walk several meters to use the nearest public lavatory. But Shavali noted most of the households had at least one smartphone, underscoring India's uneven growth. For the first time, the census is being conducted through a dedicated mobile app. But the digital shift has not been seamless. Lalit Verma, a 48-year-old Delhi teacher, said he was also taking notes in a diary in case the data is lost due to glitches. Others have welcomed the change.
Bengaluru teacher Anandi A. said the app was "easy to use".
Record 85% turnout sparks new political in Tamil Nadu
It is the kind of weather in which Chennai-vasis advise each other not to step out. On Thursday, though, in the humid and searing “feels like 46” heat, voters stepped out in numbers so large that by mid-day, political pundits were making fresh assessments of potential losers and beneficiaries of the huge turnouts in several constituencies.
As polling for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly ended at 6 pm, the Election Commission put out a provisional turnout of 82.24 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters till 5 pm. That is the highest turnout in Tamil Nadu in recent memory.
Fans of Vijay, the newest entrant to the Dravidian fray, and his Tamil Vetri Kazhagam, are attributing it to a “Vijay tsunami”.
Apart from evident enthusiasm for Vijay among young voters, first-time voters, women, and Christian and Muslim voters, Tamil Nadu’s high turnout may also have another explanation: a shrunken voter base after the Special Intensive Revision.
In the last three elections held pre-SIR, voter turnout was 78.29 per cent in 2011, near 74 per cent in 2016, and 73.1 per cent in 2021, when elections were held during the peak of the Delta wave of Covid. Over 73 lakh deceased or duplicate voters were weeded out ahead of this election. Still, both the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have reasons to be nervous. Vijay’s star power has been a major attraction in this election, introducing a newcomer into what was essentially a two-horse race.
The transactions are no longer hidden, but often carried out openly. In some areas, candidates distributed gift coupons to avoid scrutiny by flying squads. Some voters even complained of not receiving money this time. Like the stock market, the price of a vote is not constant, it fluctuates depending on a candidate’s prospects. Investment in voters is higher where victory appears likely; otherwise, candidates prefer to hold back.
Politician wrecks cricket pitch with tractor after not being invited
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The act took place in full public view, with players, organisers, and spectators watching in disbelief. With the pitch rendered unplayable, officials had no option but to call off the match. The final, which had been planned for weeks, was abruptly halted, leaving teams and fans disappointed.
For many involved, the incident was not just disruptive but deeply disheartening, given the effort that goes into organising local tournaments.
Clips of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, showing the tractor moving across the field and tearing through the pitch.
The visuals have fuelled strong reactions online, with users expressing anger and disbelief. The episode has reignited debates around the misuse of influence and entitlement, particularly in local settings where community events are often vulnerable to such disruptions.
Local authorities were informed and police reached the spot to control the situation. While reports suggest that immediate legal action was limited, the incident has drawn attention from officials and the wider public. There have been calls for stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences and to ensure accountability.
This is not just an isolated act of vandalism, it highlights a larger issue around respect for community spaces and the challenges faced by organisers of grassroots sporting events.
Cricket at the local level plays a vital role in nurturing talent and bringing communities together. Incidents like these not only disrupt games but also impact morale. As the video continues to circulate, the focus remains on ensuring such actions do not go unchecked, and that local sports are protected from unnecessary interference.
Record 91.78% voter turnout in phase 1 amid sporadic violence in West Bengal
A record 91.78 per cent votes — the highest since the Independence — were cast as the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election ended amid sporadic violence, with both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP expressing optimism over the largely peaceful poll and high turnout.
There were a total 3.60 crore voters in 152 of the 294 Assembly constituencies. The elections for the remaining 142 constituencies will be held on April 29 on the final day of the two-phase election.
"The turnout has been 91.78 per cent so far. This is the highest-ever voting percentage in West Bengal since the Independence," said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Assembly elections in West Bengal since 2011, when Mamata Banerjee came to power, ending the CPM-led Left Front’s 34-year-old rule, have seen a turnout of over 80-plus per cent. In 2011, the turnout was 84 per cent, and in the subsequent Assembly elections in 2016 and 2021, it was over 82 per cent. But the 91.78 per cent turnout is a new high.
In the past, a high turnout has gone in favour of the TMC. But the possibility of more people having come out to cast their vote to register their anger and frustration against the ruling party in the state has also become a strong possibility. BJP leader Amit Shah said the high number was due to a clean electoral list and people's confidence to come out in numbers to cast their vote for change
elections
and against the TMC government.
Mamata claimed the high turnout showed the people’s anger against the BJP and the manner in which they were trying to manipulate the election outcome in its favour. The elections were held under the shadow of large-scale name deletions under the SIR exercise.
However, despite the claim of a largely peaceful election, in several pockets armed goons were seen beating up BJP candidates, including Suvendu Sarkar in Dakshin Dinajpur's Kumarganj, and smashing their cars and even attacking the security personnel who were trying to shield the candidates.
Many observers have expressed surprise that such attacks could take place even when over 2.5 lakh personnel of the Central police force were deployed to prevent such incidents.
The fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women, will be decided in Thursday's poll.
How police cracked murder case of IRS officer's daughter
He raped a woman whose husband he knew in Alwar at night, went to Delhi the next morning, sneaked into a house he had worked in and headed straight to the rooftop study where he allegedly sexually assaulted and killed the daughter of his former employer.
That's how the horror story proceeded, police said on Thursday following initial investigations into the rape and murder of the 22-year-old daughter of an Indian Revenue Service officer in south Delhi's upscale Kailash Hills.
Piecing together the chilling details of the Wednesday morning murder, police officials said Rahul Meena is a man without remorse, a 19-yearold who allegedly attacked two women back to back and brutally killed one of them.
Meena, who was arrested on Wednesday and produced before court on Thursday, is showing little signs of contrition and has changed his statement repeatedly, officials privy to his interrogation said. The tone was different in court.
"Mujhse apradh ho gaya... Galti ho gayi (I committed a crime, a mistake)," the teen domestic help said before Judicial Magistrate Deepika Thakaran who allowed the Delhi Police's plea seeking four days of custodial interrogation.
Meena had worked with the IRS officer's family for eight months and had been sacked a month ago for financial wrongdoings. According to police sources, he not just knew the layout of the apartment
but also the morning routine of the young woman's parents who had left early morning for the gym.
He entered the house using a spare key and went straight to the study where he knew he would find their daughter, an IIT graduate preparing for the civil services exams. He attacked her and then dragged her blood-soaked body down the stairs.
Meena allegedly strangled the victim with a mobile phone charging cable before hitting her with a heavy object, rendering her unconscious.
"The investigation suggests that the accused raped the victim while she was still unconscious. He then dragged her down the stairs to another room where a locker was kept, and attempted to open the biometric lock using her fingerprint, but it did not open," a police official said.
He then broke the locker open using a screwdriver, stole cash and jewellery, changed his blood-stained clothes and slippers and fled the scene, about 30 minutes before the victim's parents returned home. According to police, the accused was inside the house for about 30 minutes. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts show that Meena entered the colony around 6.30 am, sneaked into the house at 6.49 am and left at 7.20 am. The killing, which exposes security gaps even in gated localities, came to light when the victim's parents returned home and found her lying in a pool of blood, with her clothes torn and her belongings scattered all around.
Doval, Jaishankar hold talks with UK NSA, focus on security cooperation
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate back-to-back meetings with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell in New Delhi, reinforcing cooperation on defence, security and global strategic issues.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Doval hosted his UK counterpart on Thursday for the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue.
“The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on advancing the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic
One year on: India, Pakistan and the deadly Kashmir
Relations between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan plummeted last year after an attack in Kashmir killed 26 men, mostly Hindu tourists, leading to their worst conflict in decades.
India blamed Pakistan for backing the attack — a charge Islamabad denied — triggering titfor-tat diplomatic measures and a sharp military escalation that included airstrikes, drone swarms and heavy mortar fire. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947, and both claim the territory in full.
Rebel groups have waged an insurgency against Indian rule since 1989, demanding Kashmir's independence or its merger with Pakistan.
India blames Pakistan for arming and training militant groups in Kashmir, allegations Islamabad denies.
Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict, which has at times spiralled into armed clashes.
Gunmen burst out of forests near the resort town of Pahalgam on April 22 and raked crowds of visitors with automatic weapons.
Survivors said the gunmen separated the men from the women and children and shot them at close range before fleeing into dense jungle.
No security personnel were deployed in the small Himalayan meadow of Baisaran, unlike other tourist spots in the territory, witnesses told AFP. Those killed included 24 Indians and one Nepali — all Hindus — and a local Muslim tour guide. A group called The Resistance Front (TRF) that was believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT), a UN-designated terrorist group based in Pakistan, initially claimed responsibility.
They later issued a denial following widespread public condemnation.
attack
Indian security forces said in July that they killed three Pakistani gunmen during a firefight in a national wildlife park outside Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir.
India's Home Minister Amit Shah said in a speech in parliament that "those who attacked in Baisaran were three terrorists and all three have been killed".
Shah said forensic evidence showed that the weapons found on the gunmen had been used in the Pahalgam attack.
Indian police in Kashmir detained about 1,500 residents for questioning during a sweeping investigation.
They arrested two local men in June for allegedly harbouring the attackers.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said "the two men had disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack" during their interrogation.
The pair also confirmed the gunmen were "Pakistani nationals" from LeT, it said.
Retaliatory measures by India and Pakistan included expelling diplomats, restricting trade and closing their respective airspaces to each other.
Partnership, with a focus on strengthening defence and security cooperation. They also exchanged views on key regional and global security challenges,” the MEA said in a statement. India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering defence, security, trade, technology and climate cooperation. In recent years, ties have expanded steadily, particularly in defence exercises, maritime security, cyber cooperation and defence industrial collaboration.
