Masked terrorists staged a commando-style attack on the Sri Lanka
cricket team today as they were being bussed to a Test match in Pakistan.
Seven players and a British coach were injured and six policemen killed
when they were ambushed by 12 gunmen. A bus driver also died.
In a chilling reminder of the deadly attacks in the Indian city of
Mumbai last November, the gunmen wore backpacks and carried AK-47s,
grenades and rocket launchers.
They struck as the bus negotiated a roundabout near the Gaddafi stadium
in Lahore, shooting first at its tyres to force the driver to stop.
Players said they threw a grenade and tried to hit them with a rocket
but missed before starting a hail of bullets, forcing them to throw
themselves to the floor.
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Thilan Samaraweera was shot in the leg and fellow batsmen Tharanga
Paranthavina was hit in the chest by shrapnel. Both were being treated
in hospital.
Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Suranka Lakmal
and Chaminda Vaas and British assistant coach Paul Farbrace were also
wounded.
