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Cricket Attack Raises Fears for Sports Events

Teams cancel Pakistan visits; 20 arrested in attack

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2009 4:27 AM CST

(Newser) – As Pakistani officials arrested some 20 suspects in yesterday's attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Lahore, new fears emerged that sports events may become a new target for terrorists, reports the Times of London. One international team canceled a trip to Pakistan last night, and the country's plans to co-host cricket's World Cup in 2011 are now  in doubt. Fears have also been raised about the 2012 Olympics and their susceptibility to a commando-style attack.

"I don’t think any international team will be going to Pakistan in the foreseeable future," said the chief executive of New Zealand's cricket association. Eight people were killed, and six injured in the attack. Pakistani officials believe the assault was likely the work of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant group fingered for the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai. No details were immediately available about the arrests.

Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis arrives at Bandaranayake International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today.
Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis arrives at Bandaranayake International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today.   (AP Photo/ Eranga Jayawardena)
Pakistani police commandos carry a coffin of their colleague for funeral in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday.
Pakistani police commandos carry a coffin of their colleague for funeral in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
A dozen masked gunmen armed with rifles and rocket launchers attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team as it traveled to a match in Pakistan yesterday.
A dozen masked gunmen armed with rifles and rocket launchers attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team as it traveled to a match in Pakistan yesterday.   (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Mourners bring flowers to at the spot of yesterday's attack in Lahore, Pakistan.
Mourners bring flowers to at the spot of yesterday's attack in Lahore, Pakistan.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
At least a dozen men ambushed Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers yesterday as they drove through a traffic circle near an eastern Pakistani stadium.
At least a dozen men ambushed Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers yesterday as they drove through a traffic circle near an eastern Pakistani stadium.   (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
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