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Version 15 Version 16
Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers
(10 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 Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed, while seven cricketers, and their assistant coach, were injured.At least five Pakistani policemen escorting the team bus were killed, while seven 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.
Officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November.Officials said the incident bore the hallmarks of deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November.
The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.
INJURED PLAYERS Thilan Samaraweera (hospital)Tharanga Paranavitana (hospital)Mahela JayawardeneKumar SangakkaraAjantha MendisSuranka LakmalChaminda VaasAssistant coach Paul Frabrace In pictures: Cricketers attackedLahore Test scrapped after attack The BBC's Barbara Plett says 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.INJURED PLAYERS Thilan Samaraweera (hospital)Tharanga Paranavitana (hospital)Mahela JayawardeneKumar SangakkaraAjantha MendisSuranka LakmalChaminda VaasAssistant coach Paul Frabrace In pictures: Cricketers attackedLahore Test scrapped after attack The BBC's Barbara Plett says 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.
Commentators have questioned the wisdom of cricket authorities in giving the tour the go-ahead in the first place.Commentators have questioned the wisdom of cricket authorities in giving the tour the go-ahead in the first place.
Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour only after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour on security grounds, following the Mumbai attacks.Pakistan invited Sri Lanka to tour only after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour on security grounds, following the Mumbai attacks.
EvacuationEvacuation
Reports suggest 10 to 12 gunmen ambushed the team coach and its accompanying police detail on a roundabout in Liberty Square in the heart of Lahore, as the convoy was on the way to the Gaddafi stadium for a Test match.Reports suggest 10 to 12 gunmen ambushed the team coach and its accompanying police detail on a roundabout in Liberty Square in the heart of Lahore, as the convoy was on the way to the Gaddafi stadium for a Test match.
Our Islamabad correspondent says accounts suggest the attack was sophisticated in nature, with one group of gunmen firing a rocket-propelled grenade in order to create a diversion, while others then approached, firing guns on the convoy.Our Islamabad correspondent says accounts suggest the attack was sophisticated in nature, with one group of gunmen firing a rocket-propelled grenade in order to create a diversion, while others then approached, firing guns on the convoy.
PAKISTAN CRICKET CRISIS Sept 2001: New Zealand pull out of Pakistan tour following US military action in Afghanistan after 9/11 attacks; West Indies and Australia move games to neutral venues.May 2002: New Zealand cancel tour of Pakistan after explosion outside team's Karachi hotelMarch 2008: Australia postpone tour of Pakistan on security concernsOct 2008: West Indies call off November tour of Pakistan on security concernsDec 2008: India pulls out of 2009 Pakistan tour after government directiveFeb 2009: 2009 Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan is called off after participants express security concerns She says the gunmen - two of which were shown in TV pictures carrying backpacks - seemed to be well-trained. PAKISTAN CRICKET CRISIS Sept 2001: New Zealand pull out of Pakistan tour following US military action in Afghanistan after 9/11 attacks; West Indies and Australia move games to neutral venues.May 2002: New Zealand cancel tour of Pakistan after explosion outside team's Karachi hotelMarch 2008: Australia postpone tour of Pakistan on security concernsOct 2008: West Indies call off November tour of Pakistan on security concernsDec 2008: India pulls out of 2009 Pakistan tour after government directiveFeb 2009: 2009 Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan is called off after participants express security concerns She says the gunmen - two of whom were shown in TV pictures carrying backpacks - seemed to be well-trained.
Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - were sent to hospital. Another five received minor wounds, as well as assistant coach Paul Farbrace.Officials in Lahore said two members of the Sri Lankan team - Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana - were sent to hospital. Another five received minor wounds, as well as assistant coach Paul Farbrace.
"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.
There are no reports that any of the attackers were killed or apprehended. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said.There are no reports that any of the attackers were killed or apprehended. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said.
A Pakistani air force helicopter has now airlifted uninjured members of the Sri Lankan team out of the Gaddafi Stadium.A Pakistani air force helicopter has now airlifted uninjured members of the Sri Lankan team out of the Gaddafi Stadium.
Thilan Samaraweera (L) and Tharanga Paranavitana went to hospital Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and ordered the players' evacuation back to Sri Lanka. A plane is being chartered for this purpose.Thilan Samaraweera (L) and Tharanga Paranavitana went to hospital Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse condemned the "cowardly terrorist attack" and ordered the players' evacuation back to Sri Lanka. A plane is being chartered for this purpose.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also strongly condemned the attack, and ordered an immediate investigation "so that the perpetrators are identified and their motives exposed", said a statement from his office.Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari also strongly condemned the attack, and ordered an immediate investigation "so that the perpetrators are identified and their motives exposed", said a statement from his office.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry offered sympathy and urged Pakistan to take "prompt, meaningful and decisive steps to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure once and for all".Meanwhile, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry offered sympathy and urged Pakistan to take "prompt, meaningful and decisive steps to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure once and for all".
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.
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.
Our correspondent says initial suspects will include Kashmiri militant groups, al-Qaeda or Taleban militants.Our correspondent says initial suspects will include Kashmiri militant groups, al-Qaeda or Taleban militants.
Further down the list are militants connected to the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels against whom Sri Lankan authorities are waging their own domestic military campaign.Further down the list are militants connected to the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels against whom Sri Lankan authorities are waging their own domestic military campaign.


Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your experiences using the form below. Do not endanger yourself or others.Are you in Lahore? Did you witness the shooting? Send us your experiences using the form below. Do not endanger yourself or others.
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