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Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers
(40 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 - two from bullets - and five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed. At least five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed, while at least five cricketers, and their assistant coach, were injured.
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. Officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November.
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. The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.
Khaled Farooq, chief of police in Punjab province said the attack "resembles the Mumbai attacks" in November, AFP news agency reported. Commentators say the incident will come as a big blow to Pakistani cricket - already suffering from serious security concerns - and may put an end to international cricket in the country in the short term.
Pakistan had invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the Mumbai attacks.
Match cancelledMatch cancelled
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.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.
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.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 attackedLahore Test scrapped after attackIt was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time Eyewitness In pictures: Cricketers attackedLahore Test scrapped after attack
Five policemen were killed. At least 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. Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - were sent to hospital. At least another four received minor wounds, including assistant coach Paul Farbrace.
"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 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. A Pakistani air force helicopter has now evacuated members of the Sri Lankan team from Gaddafi Stadium, after Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and ordered the players' immediate evacuation.
The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled. Thilan Samaraweera, left, and Tharanga Paranavitana went to hospital 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.
Grenades and rocket launchers had been found at the site of the incident, police said. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said.
Security fearsSecurity fears
Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before.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.
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.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also waging its own military campaign at home, against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also waging its own military campaign at home, against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels.
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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