A horrific incident unfolded at the Lapu Lapu ’25 Block Party in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday, April 26, when a black SUV plowed into a crowd, leaving multiple people dead and several others injured, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). The attack occurred just after 8 p.m. local time at the intersection of East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, where hundreds had gathered to celebrate Filipino culture and honor Datu Lapu-Lapu, the Philippines’ first national hero, who famously defeated Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the 1521 Battle of Mactan.

The VPD confirmed the driver, a 30-year-old Vancouver man, was taken into custody at the scene, though the exact number of casualties remains undisclosed as emergency services continue to respond. “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured,” the VPD stated on X, adding, “We will provide more information as the investigation unfolds.” Social media footage captured the chaotic aftermath, showing a black SUV with a crumpled hood and deployed airbags, surrounded by motionless victims and frantic bystanders. Some videos depicted first responders and civilians tending to the injured, while others showed bloodied individuals lying on the street, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed profound grief, calling the incident “horrific.” “We are shocked and saddened by what happened at the Lapu Lapu Day event. Police have confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries, and our thoughts are with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this devastating time,” Sim said in a statement. New Democratic Party MP Don Davies, describing the event as a “horrendous attack,” took to X to offer prayers for the victims and their families, reflecting the community’s anguish.

The Lapu Lapu Day Block Party, in its second year, is a vibrant celebration of Filipino heritage, recognized by British Columbia since 2023 as a day to honor Lapu-Lapu’s legacy of resistance against colonial oppression. The festival, featuring food trucks, performers, and cultural displays, drew a large crowd to Vancouver’s Sunset neighborhood, making the sudden violence all the more shocking.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not disclosed a motive or confirmed whether the act was intentional. The VPD’s major crime unit is leading the probe, and police are urging witnesses to come forward with information. The incident has cast a pall over Vancouver, prompting an outpouring of condolences from leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who vowed support for the affected community. For now, the Filipino community and the city at large mourn, grappling with the senseless loss at what was meant to be a joyous celebration.

A massive explosion rocked the Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday, April 26, injuring 406 people, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The agency had earlier reported 281 injuries, citing Mojtaba Khaledi, spokesperson for Iran’s National Emergency Organization, before the toll surged as more victims were identified.

The blast occurred at the Rajaei port, a critical hub for container shipments handling approximately 80 million tons of goods annually. Videos circulating on social media captured thick black smoke rising from the site, while others showed shattered windows in buildings several kilometers away, underscoring the explosion’s intensity.

Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the blast. While Iran frequently experiences industrial accidents, particularly at its aging oil facilities strained by international sanctions, state television explicitly ruled out any involvement of energy infrastructure in this incident. Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told state TV that first responders were working to access the affected area, while efforts were underway to evacuate the site. He noted that the explosion originated from containers at the port but provided no further details. State TV also reported a building collapse triggered by the blast, though specifics remain scarce.

Located 1,050 kilometers southeast of Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for 20% of global oil trade—the Rajaei port’s strategic importance amplifies concerns about the incident. The explosion coincided with ongoing diplomatic talks in Oman between Iran and the United States, marking their third round of negotiations over Tehran’s accelerating nuclear program, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.

As rescue operations continue, the rising injury toll and lack of clarity about the blast’s cause have heightened anxiety in Iran, with authorities under pressure to provide answers and ensure the safety of those affected. The incident underscores the challenges faced by Iran’s critical infrastructure and the broader implications for regional stability amid delicate international discussions.

A major counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir has led to the elimination of Junaid Ahmed Bhatt, a high-ranking Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist involved in orchestrating a series of deadly attacks including the recent massacre in Sonamarg. Bhatt, classified as an ‘A+ category’ militant and originally from Kulgam, was gunned down by security forces during an encounter in Dachigam in December 2024.

Module operated under Lashkar leadership

Bhatt was a pivotal figure in a Lashkar-e-Taiba module that, according to intelligence reports, functions under the direct command of Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed and his deputy Saifullah, both believed to be operating from Pakistani soil. The group reportedly receives not only ideological motivation but also strategic support from Pakistan’s military establishment and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

While the module includes a majority of foreign operatives, several local elements and overground workers from the Kashmir Valley assist the network by providing shelter and logistical support. Following coordinated attacks, the group’s operatives often go underground, using forest cover to evade security operations until fresh instructions arrive from handlers across the border.

Brutality of Pahalgam attack unveiled

The group’s involvement came into focus after the chilling Pahalgam attack, where terrorists targeted civilians at three different locations in the scenic Baisaran valley. In the gruesome assault, five people were shot dead at a single spot, two were gunned down in an open field, and more were targeted near a fenced enclosure. Survivors recounted that the attackers even engaged them in short conversations before opening fire, pointing to a calculated and cold-blooded execution.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches of three suspects in the case. Two of them, identified as Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha, are believed to be Pakistani nationals, while the third, Abdul Hussain Thokar, is a local from Anantnag. Authorities have announced a cash reward of ₹20 lakh for credible leads aiding in their arrest. A suspected hideout used by the module has also been uncovered in forested terrain nearby.

High-level security response and diplomatic measures

In response to the escalating threat, India’s top security panel—the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)—held an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The panel, which included senior figures like Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, rolled out a series of stringent countermeasures.

From May 1, both India and Pakistan will downsize their diplomatic missions, slashing staff numbers from 55 to 30. Military and intelligence personnel from Pakistan stationed at its High Commission in Delhi have been ordered to leave India within a week, while Indian representatives in Islamabad will also be withdrawn.

Further, the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals has been suspended, and all existing visas under this provision have been revoked. Pakistani citizens residing in India under the scheme have been directed to exit the country by May 1. The Attari-Wagah border crossing has also been closed indefinitely. India has additionally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.

Massive protests were witnessed outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, as demonstrators demanded justice and accountability. Demonstrations have also spread across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India, underlining the widespread public outrage against the Pahalgam attack.