Attack on Shri Lanka Cricketers

3/02/2009

Attack on Shri Lanka Cricketers

LAHORE: Five security men have been killed and two injured when unknown persons attacked Sri Lankan cricket team here on Tuesday (03.03.09).

According to sources, unknown attackers riding on motorbikes opened fire on Sri Lankan cricket team bus near Gaddafi Stadium.

Intense trade of fire occurred between police and unknown attackers after the attack. Five security men have been killed and two injured who were shifted to hospital. Police have cordoned off the area.

Several Sri Lankan players reportedly sustained injuries in the incident. Pakistan team has directed to stay in the hotel whereas Sri Lankan team has been shifted to Gaddafi Stadium.

Manager cricket team told Geo News that Pakistan cricket team will go to stadium after getting the security clearance.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan sports minister has confirmed that two Sri Lankan player wounded in the attack whereas government of Punjab said firing incident is aftermath of rivalry between two land grabber groups. Via : Geo.tv

BBC News
Several members of the Sri Lankan cricket team have been injured after gunmen fired on a convoy carrying cricketers in Pakistani city of Lahore.

The convoy was carrying Pakistani and Sri Lankan cricketers to a ground, which is hosting a Test match between the two sides.

Reports quoting Sri Lankan authorities say at least two Sri Lankan players were seriously injured in the incident.

Unconfirmed reports say some policemen had been killed by the shooting.

The incident happened on the road from the teams' hotel to the Gadaffi stadium, where a Test match is being held.

"It appears that our team bus was targeted on the way to the match. It appears that four of our cricketers have been injured and taken to the hospital," a Sri Lankan cricket official told an Indian TV channel from Colombo.

Via : BBC


Gunmen attack SL cricketers in Lahore
Gunmen killed at least four people in an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team's bus on Tuesday as it drove to the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore, according to witnesses and cricket officials.

Sri Lankan media, quoting the sports minister, said four players received minor injuries in the attack -- Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavithana.

Pakistan television channels said four people were killed.

A witness told Reuters he believed two police commandos were killed along with a regular policeman and a traffic warden. Shopkeeper Ahmed Ali said the two police commandos had been driving behind the team bus when they were hit.

"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," said a Reuters witness who had been on his way to cover the test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka .

Pakistan only invited the Sri Lanka team to tour after India's team pulled out with security concerns following the militant attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai in November.
Via : Rediff