An attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan has left seven dead and many more injured.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching newsy.com.

Six policemen and a driver were killed when masked gunmen carrying rifles, grenades and rocket launchers opened fire on the bus. Seven players and an assistant coach were also injured.

The attack has been condemned across the globe. The Indian Home Minister called Pakistani security “hopelessly inadequate” while the British Minister for Sport called the attacks “a grotesque violation.”

We’re tracking coverage from the Guardian, the BBC, NPR and ExpressIndia.com.

This is not the first time security concerns have caused the cancellation of cricket tests in Pakistan.

The Guardian reports that both Australia and India had cancelled tours of the country in the past year.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive, Justin Vaughn, whose team is scheduled to tour Pakistan in November, had this to say about the attack.

“It's very frightening that for the first time a cricket team are what appears to be the specific target of terrorist action,” Vaughan said. “That's never happened before… This is a very different proposition and a very frightening one for world cricket.” (The Guardian)

In an interview with the BBC, former Pakistani cricket captain-turned politician Imran Khan called the attacks “one of the most tragic incidents in Pakistan sports history.” He also questioned the protection given to the Sri Lankan team.

“The Pakistan government guaranteed the Sri Lankan cricket team that they would provide them security. To see the type of security provided to the Sri Lankan cricket team was completely shameful.” (BBC)

NPR says this attack closely resembles the terror strikes on Mumbai, which killed 164 people in November.

“Both were coordinated attacks, used multiple gunmen, apparently in teams of two, who were armed with explosives and assault rifles and apparently had little fear of death or capture.” (NPR)

Pakistani Minister Sardar Nabil Ahmed Gabol went one step further, placing the blame firmly on Indian militants. ExpressIndia.com reports that in an interview with Pakistan’s Geo TV, the minister said:

“The evidence which we have got shows that these terrorists entered from across the border from India. This was a conspiracy to defame Pakistan internationally. This incident took place in reaction to [the Mumbai attacks]. It is a declaration of open war on Pakistan by India.” (Geo)

Who do you think is behind the attack? Do you think this incident could be linked to the Mumbai attacks? What kind of impact could this have on relations between India and Pakistan? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this story and please check out our sources.

I’m Charlotte Bellis for Newsy.com, where multiple perspectives help provide the real story.

World News

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Attacked In Pakistan

March 3, 2009
An attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan has been compared to November’s terror strikes on Mumbai. Newsy.com looks at coverage.
   
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