Six Lankan players injured in Lahore terror attack

by nehalarya | March 2, 2009 at 09:21 pm
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Attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers

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Attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers

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Six Lankan players injured | Photo 02

Six Lankan players injured | Photo 02

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The extent of injuries is still not clear but reports filtered in that some players were hit by bullets and sharpnels, grievously injuring them.

Lahore, March 03: In a shocking incident, the Sri Lankan cricket team which is in Lahore to play the second Test was attacked upon by a gang of highly trained terrorists early on Tuesday, injuring at least six players.

The Sri Lankan Sports Minister, Lokuke Gamini, has confirmed to the reporters that six of the players were injured and taken to hospital. The injured players are: Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Thushara.

Colombo: Sri Lankan cricketers Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranawitharana were among the six injured in Pakistan's Lahore city on Tuesday when gunmen targeted the team as it was entering the Gaddafi Stadium for the ongoing Test.

CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Duleep Mendis told IANS that double centurion Samaraweera and Paranawitharana were wounded when they were entering the match venue.

"The latest reports we receive say that three other players have also sustained injuries," Mendis said.

Team captain Mahela Jayawardene's father said his son had just called his wife from Lahore to say that he too had suffered minor injuries in his leg during the attack that shocked the nation.

"We were just informed that our players were shot at while travelling to the match venue at Lahore. We are very concerned about the incident," Sri Lankan Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

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Sri Lanka Army news

Sri Lankan cricketers now safe: shootout at Pakistan [Updated]

6 Sri Lankan cricketers were reported injured including skipper Mahaela Jayawardene, wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara and Tilan Samaraweer in a shootout at Lahore in Pakistan this morning (March 3). According to Pakistan news sources, the visiting Sri Lankan cricketers were on their way to the Gaddafi international stadium minutes before commence of the 3rd day's play of the second test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Reports received confirm that seamer Chaminda Vaas, open batsman Tharanga Paranawithana, spin sensation Ajantha Mendis also among the injured including 4th umpire Ashan Raza.

Latest information from Lahore confirms that the Sri Lankan players are now out of danger and had received minor injuries.

At least 5 Pakistan policemen providing security to the Sri Lankan players were reported killed who had valiantly fought with the unidentified gunmen. According to available information, 4 unidentified gunmen who had arrived in a white car had opened indiscriminate small arms and RPG grenade attacks at the bus and the escort vehicles that was transferring the Sri Lankan cricketers to the stadium. Tension prevails in the area with Pakistan security forces and Police engaged in hot-pursuit of the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the Punjab provincial governor making an initial comment to media has said that the attack bears hall marks of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack on 2008.

defence.lk

 

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Sri Lanka Army news

Who is behind the Attack ?Probably Pakistan Terrorist Group.I personaly dont think LTTE have done this as they are Cricket Lovers.This type of attack happend after 1972 Munich Olympic.Similar attack happend 2008 targeting Sri Lankan Minister Jeyraj Fernandupullai when he was near a Road Race.

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René

thanks for the updates on this shocking story.

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hussain

Five security personnel have been killed and eight Lankan cricketers injured. http://www.nowpublic.com/world/5-security-men-dead-8-lankan-cricketers-hurt-pakistan-firing

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sudharaka

Official response from Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona

This statement goes on to show how well mature statesmen handle such crisis:


Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona speaking to news agencies on the Lahore attack said that this incident is unlike to cause restraints between the two countries who also emphasized commitment from the cricketing world to certain the presence of Pakistan as a major player in the game. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India are all nations that are making stringent efforts to defeat the terrorist outfits in the South Asian region including the LTTE terrorists.

Also, praising the Pakistani security forces for securing the safety of the cricketers, Foreign Secretary Kohona evoked the solidarity shown by both Pakistan and India towards the island nation during the famous 1996 cricket world-cup, when Sri Lanka was blacklisted as an 'unsafe' destination by foreign propagandists.

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kiyani

lahore main jo attack howa wo india nay karwa hai   es kay elawa ya kise our ka kam nahee hoo sakhta     main kiyani baradhre  ke taraf say es kee pur zoor muzamat karta hooo 

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sudharaka

This is an open forum, not your ancesteral backyard. Have the common courtecy to post in English or else stay put whereever you are.

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popular_1

Sudharaka ,

    I agree with you , I will translate it for you . He is saying that, " The attack is from india , it is clear , and I am totally against the attack ".

    This attack could be from anyone , no one is sure at this time . The terrorists were planning a huge take over possibally trying to take the Lankan team hostage. Now , personally i think the politicians are behind it . The reason for that is just creating unstability to the  area , and grounds to blame the other political parties for not doing their job.

  I , also do not believe that this attack is from LET , or Tamil  terrorists , this is a plot , perhaps a collateral damage planned by some political parties in Pakistan . It is sad to see all this happening , because it is not good for anyone , general public , cricket , cricket lovers and the whole sector . I  sympathize with Sirilankan team and nation , and also Pakistan and people of Pakistan . I , am a Pakistani  , and i am ashamed of my country  for not providing the best security to Lankan team.  

 

 

 

 

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JAffar

this is all india's doings. india in its view is takin revenge from the terrorist attack in mumbai. i dont know why people cant open their eyes and notice it is truly india behind this!!!!!!!

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First Flagged at 9:57 PM, Mar 2, 2009 by Sri Lanka Army news
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