Mar 03 2009
Breaking News 5 Pakistani police Officers Killed - Sri Lankan Cricketers Injured near Gaddafi Stadium Lahore as Terrorists Open Fire
Breaking News Pakistan police Officers Killed Sri Lankan Cricketers Injured near Gaddafi Stadium Lahore as Terrorists Open Fire - Gunmen Running Loose in the City
- Gaddafi Stadium -
Sri Lankan cricketers have been wounded when masked gunmen opened fire at their tour bus carrying them to the 3rd day’s play of the second test match against Pakistan.
5 Pakistan Police officers have been killed as gunmen opened fire at the tour bus carrying the Sri Lankan squad to the match. They ambushed the bus about 100 yards away from the ground.
Two cars swerved in front of the bus, bringing it to a halt and gunmen opened fire, killing 5 of the Police security convoy, then turning their attention to the bus and peppering it with gunfire from automatic weapons.
A rocket launcher was then aimed at the bus, but thankfully missed it. Grenades were thrown under the bus but these failed to explode.The injured were driven away by the quick thinking driver who drove onto the pitch.
The players were then led to the safety of the dressing rooms where they were cared for until the coast was clear so that they could be checked over by medics.
It is reported that Police officials have said ‘well trained terrorists are behind the attack’. It was a well co-ordinated and well armed onslaught, with grenades, guns, and the attackers wearing protective jackets and backpacks.
There was a fore warning of the attack yesterday and the tour bus changed it’s route. But gunmen travelling in a rickshaw, and ambushers hiding in bushes, opened fire on 4 sides, first at the police then at the cricket squad.
The emergency services are on the scene tending to the wounded. At first report, 5 policemen and 2 civilians have been killed. 6 cricketers have been injured and 2 others have been taken to hospital.
The Sri Lankan cricket squad were travelling with a heavy Police convoy for security. It would seem that this may bring an end to the tour as all cricket diplomacy has been breeched.
This latest episode will surely change the face of cricket and the future of the squad. There are now 14 gunman running loose in the city, according to reports.
The area has been sealed off while the police continue to hunt for the masked ambushers. AK47’s have been found, along with grenades, rocket launchers and 5 bag loads of weapons.
This ambush is being likened to the Mumbai attack with it’s level of precision and sophistication employed.
The Sri Lankan cricket team only stood in for the Indian team at the last minute. The Indian squad pulled out when it was decided that the security was not tight enough for them to play in Pakistan. I don’t think any country would be wise to play there, given its present militant political climate.
Australia has not played in Pakistan since 1998 and now talks are being held with suggestion that the Pakistan team could be hosted in a different country.
It has been decided with immediate effect that the Sri Lanken team will be flown out of Pakistan and the test match is off. A waiting Army helicopter has been laid on to ferry them away as quickly as possible. All 14 ambushers got away through the panicking crowds.
Youtube of Events of the attack on Sri Lankan Cricket Team
This is terrible; innocent civilians and police officers have been killed, and innocent sports professionals have been wounded. This really is a horrible attack, and it’s certainly no surprise that the test match is off now. If they thought there was any threat of trouble then the match should never have been arranged in the first place.
I really don’t understand some people in this world that we live in. What on earth would ever compel anyone to engage in terrorist activity? I just don’t understand.
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