Militants involved in the attack on Sri Lankan team killed in Pakistan

Pakistani officials today confirmed that four Islamic extremists who were allegedly involved in the 2009 attack against the visiting Sri Lankan team have been killed. However, the officials did not identify the militants or their armed group.

The Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked on 4th March 2009, when the bus in which the cricketers were travelling to the ground was fired upon by a group of gunmen, near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Sri Lankan team was heading to play against Pakistan on Day 3 of the second Test match of the series. The attack on the cricket team killed six police and two bystanders and wounded six players. Attackers fired a rocket at the bus, which missed the bus slightly and they had also thrown a grenade, but fortunately exploded after the bus had passed over it and the driver, who kept on driving until they reached the stadium was praised for his brilliance.

Attackers fired a rocket at the bus, which missed it slightly and they had also thrown a grenade, but fortunately exploded after the bus had passed over it and the driver, who kept on driving until they reached the stadium was praised for his brilliance.

Ever since the incident, there has hardly been any international game in Pakistan. The Sri Lankan cricket team took part in the tour as a replacement for the Indian team after they pulled off following the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an affiliated extremist group, claimed the attack, which was carried out by 10 gunmen. The Sri Lankan team was later taken to the stadium and was soon airlifted from the pitch via the Pakistan Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopters. Special arrangements were made immediately for them to return to Sri Lanka as soon as possible.

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A counterterrorism official was quoted by news agencies saying that the shootout erupted late Saturday on the edge of Lahore to try and get a way to help the militants to escape from the police custody. Another senior official confirmed the account.