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**Sir X** · March 3, 2009, 11:14 AM

Video:
The latest news report from Sky Sports News.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1126121770/bctid1806217383

How the attack on cricketers happened

1. Masked gunmen ambush the players' convoy, firing at least one rocket grenade, and killing five police officers in an escort vehicle and one other on the ground. Several players are injured.
2. The driver speeds the team bus to the Gaddafi Stadium where the players are airlifted by helicopter to safety.
3. Gunmen escape in the direction of Liberty Market. Ammunition and weapons, including a rocket launcher, found.

Eyewitnesses to Tuesday's attack on Sri Lanka's cricketers described scenes of shock and horror as gunmen opened fire in the heart of the Pakistani city of Lahore.
"As the Sri Lankan team was approaching the stadium for the test match this morning, about a half a kilometre away from the stadium, two cars entered the roundabout... and fired a grenade," said Graham Usher, a British journalist, who was approaching the area just as the attack took place.
"As they did this, three other gunmen ran into the roundabout, where the bus was, opened fire on a police vehicle - where a police officer was killed - and then opened fire on the bus, spraying the bus we understand with machine gun fire," he told the BBC's Today programme.
Players were airlifted to safety by helicopter

"The gunmen targeted the wheels of the bus first and then the bus," Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene told Cricinfo website. "We all dived to the floor to take cover."
The driver of the bus carrying the Sri Lankan team, Khalil Ahmed, said: "As we approached the city's Liberty Roundabout, I slowed down. Just then what seemed to be a rocket was fired at my coach, but it missed and I think flew over the top of the vehicle.
"Almost immediately afterwards a person ran in front of the bus and threw a grenade in our direction. But it rolled underneath the coach and did not seem to cause that much damage.
Soon after that the vehicles were shot at, before Mr Ahmed drove off at top speed.
He said the attackers were all aged between 20 and 30 and many had beards.
The vehicles came under attack by firearms - I was a shocked and stunned

Bus driver Khalil Ahmed

Lahore bus driver's dramatic escape

'Bullet holes'
Another bus carrying the umpires for the game also came under fire, said a Pakistani umpire whose bus was stopped just behind the Sri Lankan players.
"The firing started at about 0840 (0340 GMT) and it continued for 15 minutes. Our driver was hit, and he was injured," Nadeem Ghauri was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.
Lahore resident Ahmad Hassan described the chaos on the streets as he was driving to work near the cricket stadium.
"People got straight out of their cars, they were panicking and running in the road," he told the BBC. "All I could think of was that I might be killed by a stray bullet... It was the worst day of my life."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME

More from Today programme

Former England cricketer Dominic Cork - who was providing commentary for the series - said he heard the loud gunfire shortly after he arrived at Gaddafi stadium and rushed into the commentary box to see what was happening.
"The Sri Lankan team bus had arrived with bullet holes all over. There was a lot of, obviously, screaming and shouting from the medical staff of the Sri Lankan team. We could see that at least six players at that time I knew had got wounds."
"They all hit the ground, then there was shrapnel flying all over," Mr Cork said.
He said one of the players remembered thinking, "This is it. I'm dead."
Journalist Graham Usher said police were investigating the scene.
"There are two white cars that were apparently used in the ambush that are being investigated by police officers, and there is the police van that bore the brunt of the gunfire," he said.
Five police officers travelling behind the players' coach were killed

"One of the police officers, we understand, was killed in this van. It is surrounded by broken glass and there is blood spilled and congealed on the seats and there is a real sense of shock and bewilderment as hundreds of local journalists and police are milling around."
Punjab Governor Salman Taseer arrived at the scene about an hour after the attack. "These [attackers] were fully trained people, the way they were running and the kind of weapons they had... they are the same [type of] people who launched attacks in Mumbai. They were no ordinary terrorists."

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**Sir X** · March 3, 2009, 11:32 AM

Pakistan should play at neutral venues - ICC chief

The future of international cricket in Pakistan is in doubt following Tuesday's attack, the International Cricket Council has said.
Seven Sri Lanka players were injured in Lahore on their team bus, while six policemen escorting it were killed.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Perhaps for some time Pakistan should consider playing at neutral venues. Rather play some cricket than none.
"I'm not sure any team would be ready to play cricket in Pakistan."
He added: "It's very unfortunate for the people in Pakistan who love the game so much and have been very desperate to see international cricket but I'm afraid that situation is very desperate now. "If this is the situation it's going to be very difficult to see them being part of hosting the World Cup

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/7921384.stm

**Islandman** · March 3, 2009, 12:09 PM

I saw the great Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan on CNN about a week ago discussing terrorism and extremist views in Pakistan and he was basically saying that the extremists are gaining ground and the moderates in Pakistani society are losing.

Looks like he knew what he was talking about. And this country has nuclear weapons!

**Don1** · March 3, 2009, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by X View Post

Gunmen shoot Sri Lanka cricketers

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Sri Lankan cricketers under fire - Footage courtesy of Samaa TV and Dawn News

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.
Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered.
Officials said the incident bore similarities to deadly attacks in Mumbai in India last November.
The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.
INJURED PLAYERS
Thilan Samaraweera (hospital)
Tharanga Paranavitana (hospital)
Mahela Jayawardene
Kumar Sangakkara
Ajantha Mendis
Suranka Lakmal
Chaminda Vaas
Assistant coach Paul Farbrace

In pictures: Cricketers attacked
Lahore 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.
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.
Evacuation
Reports suggest 10 to 12 gunmen ambushed the team coach and its accompanying police detail on the Liberty Square roundabout 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.
PAKISTAN CRICKET TIMELINE
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 hotel
March 2008: Australia postpone tour of Pakistan on security concerns
Oct 2008: West Indies call off November tour of Pakistan on security concerns
Dec 2008: India pulls out of 2009 Pakistan tour after government directive
Feb 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.
"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.
None of the attackers was killed or apprehended. Grenades and rocket launchers were found at the site of the incident, police said, and a manhunt is under way.
Our correspondent says security forces will be investigating any connections to al-Qaeda and Taleban militants as well as Kashmiri jihadi groups.
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.
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".
The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin, but officials said the match has now been cancelled.
International Cricket Council president David Morgan told the BBC it was "devastating news", adding: "It will be very difficult for international cricket to be hosted in Pakistan for quite some time to come."
Security fears
Pakistan is engaged in a bloody struggle against Islamist insurgents who have staged high-profile attacks on civilian targets before.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan authorities are waging their own domestic military campaign against Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. 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.

Pakistan is a failed state descending into anarchy.

This place is the biggest security threat to the world at the moment.

**Willi** · March 3, 2009, 04:19 PM

Dem need to merge back into India!!!

**Gamma** · March 3, 2009, 04:41 PM

well pakistan better start concentrating on croquet..because circket done fi dem!!!

**Mosiah** · March 3, 2009, 04:49 PM

heh heh!

**Willi** · March 3, 2009, 05:14 PM

Here is what one insightful Trini said:

http://www.newamericancentury.org/
Daddy Bush, Baby Bush and one set ah mad men pushing tings globally :devil:

**Don1** · March 3, 2009, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by Willi View Post

Here is what one insightful Trini said:

http://www.newamericancentury.org/
Daddy Bush, Baby Bush and one set ah mad men pushing tings globally :devil:

Bill Kristol is a Trini??

No wonder he's so anal.

**Muadib** · March 4, 2009, 12:07 PM

Di hole ah dem arab man crazy..

Mi nuh chuss nuh baddy dat haffi hide dem face..

**Willi** · March 4, 2009, 05:17 PM

Police negligent?

Shootout in Lahore
Security 'left us to be sitting ducks' claims Broad
Cricinfo staff
March 4, 2009

Chris Broad: 'We were promised high level security and in our hour of need that security vanished. There was not a sign of a policeman anywhere' © PA Photos

Chris Broad landed back in Manchester and launched a stinging attack on the security in Lahore at the time of yesterday's attack which left eight people dead, while expressing his concern that the incident sounds a 'death knell' for cricket in Pakistan.

Broad, who was the ICC's match referee for the Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the city, accused the Pakistani authorities of leaving match officials as "sitting ducks" and claiming that players and officials arriving for the Test were not offered sufficient protection despite assurances given by the Pakistan board.

"I'm angry with the Pakistani security forces," Broad said. "We were promised high level security and in our hour of need that security vanished. There was not a sign of a policeman anywhere. They had clearly gone, left the scene and left us to be sitting ducks. I had an inkling before the Test match leg of the tour that something might happen. I certainly didn't think this was going to happen."

Broad's claims that he had flagged concerns about the security before the start of the series will raise issues. "I raised my concerns with the ICC before the tour started and they passed on those concerns to the Pakistan board. They assured me through e-mail that all security would be taken care of, presidential-style security. And clearly that didn't happen.

"When we were in the van we weren't aware of what was going on outside. But after the incident when you watch the TV pictures you can clearly see the white van we were in, next to the ambulance in the middle of a roundabout, with terrorists shooting into our van and past our van and not a sign of a policeman anywhere."

Broad has been praised for throwing himself on top of fellow official Ahsan Raza as the vehicle they were travelling in came under fire. "I am not a hero," he said. "Most of us were just waiting for a bullet to hit us."

Raza was shot in the back during the attack and was rushed to Lahore's Service hospital for surgery on a collapsed right lung and a damaged liver. Hospital staff on Wednesday told Cricinfo that the operation was successful and, while Raza remained in a critical condition, he was likely to be released from the intensive care unit in the next three-to-four days.

Broad went on to say that some of the security forces fled when the shooting started. "At some stage … someone opened the door of the van and an elite policeman threw himself inside and lay on top of me. That wasn't particularly brave. When the shooting stopped, I shouted at him to drive us away but he said: 'I don't drive.'"

For all Broad's anger at the security concerns, he was just as dismayed at the impact that the attack could have on the future of cricket in the country. "They have a lot of very talented cricketers, and I feel sorry for the cricketers and for the cricket-mad public of Pakistan," he said. "But this is a bit of a death knell for cricket in Pakistan and I feel sorry for those people. I can't see it going on for the foreseeable future.

"Ijaz Butt, the chairman [of the PCB] has come out and said that friends will come to Pakistan but I don't think they have any friends in world cricket that will go to Pakistan after this has happened. Sri Lanka were a friendly country - they wanted to go, they wanted to support Pakistan. I don't think they will be going back and certainly India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa won't be keen."

Broad said the ICC would, in future, possibly have to take more direct responsibility for security arrangements rather than leaving matters to individual boards. "There are countries who have their own security experts," he said. "I know England have Reg Dickason from Australia. Dickason didn't think Pakistan was safe for anyone to go to. He was amazed the Sri Lanka tour went ahead. But he's not advising Sri Lanka.

"Maybe there's something for the ICC to look at - that they themselves take the safety concerns into consideration and make the decisions."

© Cricinfo

**Willi** · March 4, 2009, 05:18 PM

Paki as Arab???

Dat one novel fi real!

**Muadib** · March 5, 2009, 08:35 AM

Tongue in Cheek...

Still will do some due-diligence if mi buk dem up at the boarding gate...

"Everything Ok ?"

"What yuh doing Tommorow ?"

**Willi** · March 5, 2009, 08:42 AM

How you can tell Paki apart from Indian???

Very difficult in my experience.

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