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Gunmen attack S Lanka cricketers Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers
(20 minutes later)
Gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore.Gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore.
At least five members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were injured and five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed. At least five members of the Sri Lankan cricket team were injured - two from bullets - and five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed.
Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered.Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket.
Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.
Khaled Farooq, chief of police in Punjab province said the attack "resembles the Mumbai attacks" in November, AFP news agency reported.
Match cancelledMatch cancelled
Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team had bullet wounds. The gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus which was in the heart of Lahore on its way to the Gaddafi stadium, venue for a Test match between the two sides.
Others are thought to have received minor injuries. Witnesses reported an intense burst of heavy gunfire and explosions, as the gunmen first aimed for the police detail accompanying the team, before attacking the team coach.
It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time Eyewitness In pictures: Cricketers attacked It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time Eyewitness In pictures: Cricketers attacked class="" href="/sport1/hi/cricket/7920306.stm">Lahore Test scrapped after attack
Five policemen were killed.
Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - have bullet wounds and are in hospital, while others received minor injuries.
"Five [of our] cricketers have injuries, but they are OK. But the players are shocked. They have never gone through anything like this before," former Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya told an Indian news channel on the phone from Colombo."Five [of our] cricketers have injuries, but they are OK. But the players are shocked. They have never gone through anything like this before," former Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya told an Indian news channel on the phone from Colombo.
The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack", and ordered the players to be evacuated home immediately.The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack", and ordered the players to be evacuated home immediately.
The gunmen opened fire on the Sri Lankan team bus which was on its way to the Gaddafi stadium, venue for a Test match between the two sides.
The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled.The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled.
TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened.TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened.
According to Lahore police chief Habibur Rahman, "10 to 12" attackers came to the scene in auto rickshaws.According to Lahore police chief Habibur Rahman, "10 to 12" attackers came to the scene in auto rickshaws.
Thilan Samaraweera, who scored a double century in the ongoing Test match, is one of those who is in hospital.
Grenades and rocket launchers had been found at the site of the incident, police said.Grenades and rocket launchers had been found at the site of the incident, police said.
Shop owner Ahmed Ali said two policemen had been driving behind the team bus when the attack happened.
"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," a witness told Reuters.
Security fearsSecurity fears
Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before.
India and Australia have pulled out of cricket tours in Pakistan in the recent past citing security concerns.India and Australia have pulled out of cricket tours in Pakistan in the recent past citing security concerns.
Meanwhile, the sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council, last month decided not to hold the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to safety worries. The sport's world governing body, the International Cricket Council, last month decided not to hold the 2009 Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to safety worries.
The eight-nation tournament was to be held in September and October. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also waging its own military campaign at home, against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels.
Pakistan, along with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are due to jointly host the Cricket World Cup in 2011.
Were you at the game in Lahore? Did you witness the shooting? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. Do not endanger yourself or others.Were you at the game in Lahore? Did you witness the shooting? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below. Do not endanger yourself or others.
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