Terrorists attack Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan

A massive security operation is under way in Pakistan after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.

Gunmen fired AK47s and rockets at the team bus as it made its way to play an international match in Lahore.

Six police escorts were killed while six Sri Lankan cricketers and their British coach were injured. Two other civilians were also reported dead.

Officials have compared the co-ordinated assault to those in the Indian city of Mumbai last November.

The regional governor said: “This is a planned terrorist attack. The people had with them heavy weapons, including grenades; the way they attacked wasn’t normal terrorism.”

Despite earlier reports of arrests, officials say all fourteen gunmen escaped.

One Pakistani minister has said the attackers came from India as part of a conspiracy to damage Pakistan’s reputation.

The attack has sent shock waves through the Indian sub-continent, where cricket is followed almost religiously.

Apart from Sri Lanka, no international cricket team has visited Pakistan for over a year because of security fears.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Pakistan, Terrorism