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"The attack resembles the Mumbai attacks," the chief of police in Punjab province Khaled Farooq said, as the Lahore attack brought back memories of 26/11 though of not that scale and magnitude. Eight people, most of them policemen, were killed in Tuesday's attack while the Mumbai strike claimed 183 lives.
Lahore police chief Habib-ur Rehman and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer also shared Farooq's assessment saying the incident was similar to Mumbai attacks on November 26, 2008.
"I want to say it's the same pattern, the same terrorists who attacked Mumbai," Taseer said. Pakistan-based elements including Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) have been blamed for the 26/11.
"That was also a commando action and this is also a commando operation," Farooq said when asked how the attack was similar to Mumbai.
"They were trained terrorists and they attacked in a planned manner. The attackers looked like Pashtuns," said Farooq.
Khusro Pervez, commissioner of Lahore, said, "It appears that the attackers were fully trained and they used lethal and sophisticated weapons".
Information Minister Sherry Rehman said the terrorists were ‘prepared, armed and systematic.’
Habib-ur-Rehman said 12 masked gunmen were involved in the attack and they were armed with rockets, hand grenades, kalashnikovs. TV footages also showed backpacks, boxes containing dry fruits and medicines that were left behind by the terrorists before they fled.
Reports said the gunmen had tried to snatch a car in a market near to the scene of the attack as they fled from Liberty Chowk. During the Mumbai attack, two gunmen took a police car before Abdul Kasab was captured alive and the lone terrorist to be arrested by police.
Like in Mumbai, the gunmen were believed to be young and in the twenties.
TV channels aired footage of at least two of the gunmen, one of them wearing shalwar kameez and other jeans and a jacket. Both were armed with assault rifles and carrying backpacks.
The nature of the Tuesday's attack--coordinated, using multiple gunmen armed with explosives --is reminiscent of the Mumbai strikes that raised tensions between Pakistan and India forcing cancellation of the tour of Indian cricket team to that country. The Sri Lankan cricket team filled in for the Indians who may have possibly escaped the terror attack.
Lahore police chief Rehman said two Sri Lankan cricketers were hit by bullets, one in the chest another in the leg, but did not elaborate.
Four suspects were detained in the Model Town area, police claimed, as the white Hyundai car loaded with grenades, explosives and other materials was also seized.
Reports said reserve umpire Ahsan Raza, who was travelling in a separate car, was seriously injured and had been operated on in a local hospital.
Hours after the ambush, authorities defused two car bombs before they could explode and recovered a cache of weapons in Lahore.
The Pakistani team was in its hotel at the time of the incident. Officials immediately took steps to prevent it from leaving the hotel.
The driver of the bus carrying the cricketers said the terrorists shot at his vehicle from all sides. A rocket fired from behind missed the bus and hit an electric pylon, he said.
The driver, who did not give his name, said he had seen a tall and bearded terrorist wearing a shalwar kameez emerge from a white car and open fire at his bus. Another terrorist lobbed a grenade that passed under the bus, he said.
"People started shouting in the bus and the players said 'Go, go'. I drove the bus at high speed to the stadium. I then saw a Sri Lankan player was hit in the leg by a bullet. We called an ambulance and put him in it," said the driver.
Rehman said the attackers, armed with rocket launchers, grenades and Kalashnikovs, had come to the spot in a rickshaw and cars.
Security forces cordoned off the area immediately after the attack and launched a search for the gunmen.
Sri Lanka had agreed to play in Pakistan after India and Australia deferred their scheduled trips for security reasons. After playing three ODIs in Pakistan, the Sri Lankan team had proceeded to India for five ODI matches and returned to Sri Lanka for the two Test matches.
"What has happened today in cricket can never happen in sports anywhere in the world. Obviously, my sympathies are with the Sri Lankan team," said former Pakistani captain Javed Miandad.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
"They were trained terrorists and they attacked in a planned manner. They (attackers) looked like Pashtuns," Khaled Farooq, Punjab Province police chief, said.
TV channels aired footage of at least four of the terrorists, one of them wearing a brown shalwar kameez and the others jeans and jackets. The terrorists were moving in pairs.
One channel beamed footage of two terrorists mercilessly shooting at a policeman as he lay on the road.
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Pakistan wants to draw symphatic situation from the other states of the world.They claim this happening as a copycat of 26/11 attack in order to highlight themselves as a victim of terorist operation in front of the world but actually they are the one who sheltered this inhuman terrorist.
Love the sound of what a lot of you say. living under DD programing seems to have worked as a Hindu and an Indian i think there is more terror amongst us.
Rather than pin pointing, We should ask people of respective to be more pro active and not let any radical group from any facet of life to rule/run/ruin our Country. What happened is tragic and we as responsible citizen should keep our eyes and ears open ... and bring this Terrorist into justice .People say now place is safe to live ... but we all can make it safest place on earth ... Lets Blame ourselves before blaming others !!!!
As per reliable information, there was a 21 minutes delay for the army helicopter to airlift the Lankan players out of the stadium. The army pilot said "sorry for the delay, we were asked by the ISI to airlift the LeT terrorists first safely to their head quarters"!!!
What are you talking about Sherry.-There was no attack. Show proof to the world..-If there was an attack, it was a plot by Iran and Saudi-Assuming there was an attack, the attackers were non- state actor.. They cannot be Pakistani, do check the DNA-LeT does not exist.. Even if they do, their leaders were all in jail and their accounts and asset frozen-There is no terrorism in PakistanSo stop dreaming and wake up.. Everything is calm.. Nothing has happened.. Pakistan has abandoned the SWAT valley and now try to stop the monster created by the political masters from taking over Pakistan.. The butchers wont even treat visitors with respect. It is high time Pakistan joined the modern civilised society
It is not just a copycat attack. It is a warning to the present Democratic Pakistani Govt. that if they do not listen to the people involved in Mumbai terrorist incident, they will see such things in the future. The Pakistani Army and ISI want its civilian govt. to stop further investigation into Mumbai Incident because opening this door even a little would SPILL the Truth about Army-ISI connections with the terrorist groups operating from Paksitan. They do not want to overthrow the civilian Govt. because of this and hence creating such incidents will project the present Govt. as Weak and Incompetent and clear the way for overthrowing the Govt. (and its investigation into Mumbai Incident). Indian Govt. should make it a point that whoever is on top - civilian govt. or military dictator or whoever - should be held responsible for arresting and prosecuting the criminal terrorists involved in Mumbai Incident or else India has its own options which is even full-fledged war...
I find it very strange that Pakistani ministers as well as police are saying that this looks like same people who attacked India on 11/26. Are they trying to divert the attention away from their activity? Was it planned by them so world will feel it is not them. How come no one from SL died? I am not saying they should have died, infact I feel sorry for the family whoses loved one died. But in India close to 300 people died..... think over it
Yes Pakistani minister is right. Terrorists were came from India. There are totally 16 terrorists came to India via sea route back in November and we have accounts for 10 of them. The rest six of them may have gone back to Pakistan from India and carried this attack on lankan cricketers.
Just hang on for a day or two, Pakistan will go into the blaming the RAW mode. Then they will go into the denial mode. After that the world will convince Pakistan that they were their own "NON-STATE ACTORS"
Pakistani officials have now admitted that Pashtuns are not Pakistanis. Pakistanis are pease loving citizens, and terrorists look like Pashtuns.
i do think that the attacks were carried or masterminded by LTTE and not by taliban or any other islamic outfits. An investigation from an external agency(international) is more sutiable.
Hello, I am puzzled that the Pakistan government has not named India for this tragic incident. Hope, at least now the government in Pakistan and the 160 million strong Pakistan wakes up to the situation and do something to achieve their credibility if any they had in the past, to show the world that Pakistan is not a failed state and may not be taken over by terroists in the near future.
Yes, Pakistan is trying to frame Indians as attackers. See Geo TVs site and look and listen to the for videos for more details.
Atleast by now Pakistan can think of erradicating their own terrorists.
Terrorist Pakistan has started false and fictitious propaganda that the attackers came from India. The financiers of Pak terrorism, the Dubai based newspaper KHALEEJ TIMES, says that India is accused for this terror in Lahore. India has to take this matter seriously and condemn Pakistan in the comity of nations.
there is india is involved in lahore attack .because not a single PAKISTANI can do this .india want to punish srilankan s by the reason to come PAKISTAN.
India only wants to punish terrorists who have attacked it since 1980s. Sri Lanka is a friendly, Dharmic country. They are 100 times better than you violent Pakistanis.
Hi Hammad, You are really amazing, dear. May be you should become a film story writer. Why should India come to Pakistan to attack Srilankans. If so, India can just fly or sail to Sri Lanka and do it.
its true that not a single Pakistani can do this but Jehadis Can. Jehadis who think Music, Arts , sports and many activities against the Islamic Value. Well A country full of World Class terrorist Camps does not need any help from other countries for carrying out such type of attack.
Pakistan is covertly using the Taliban and Al Qaeda as its proxies and waging war against the world. The UK, Russian Federation, the EU, and US should drastic actions against the regime of the culprits of Pakistan and its co-conspirators the so-called ‘non state actors’. The colossal dangers to the world emanating from Iran and Pakistan should be tackled now by the responsible and major nations of the world especially the US and NATO who are pumping in both military hardware and economic aid into Pakistan. Ironically the US and the NATO trust Pakistan as an ally whose well-connected alliance with the Al Qaeda, Hamas... underscore the threat of an enemy from within liken to an adder.
Pakis have to take care of terrorist organigations, their training, their well being, supporting Al qaida, helpIng Talibans etc. then only they can get big junk of US dollers. If terrorism is wiped out of Pak then why USA will give them money. Terrorism is Pakistan's bread and butter. If US stops funding Pak then terrorist activities will automaticly stopped. When Pakistan will not be able to feed herself then how they can help terrorists? Now blame game will start they will go back to US with their bowl to get some thing more. Mr 10% will get one tenth of total begging. terrorists are florished in Pak because of US money which comes to them regularly.
cricket will be not over in pakistan many comments show that indian people are also like their government just blaming to pakistan. what about india are they control this type of attacks answer is no. no one knows the future. so people of india not blame to us we should be united to stand over against the terrorists. if india not copperate with us as a neighbour then as a proud pakistani we will shed our last drop of blood to save our country. pakistan zindabaad
You are right in saying that India should cooperate with Pakistan. Do you mean cooperation between India and ISI or Political Leadership or Army as all of them have their own separate ways. You are also right in saying that India has not controlled such type of attacks, the best way to control these type of attack is to dismantle the terror infrastructure, but unfortunately those terrorist camps are located in Swat and NWF areas, which Pakistan thinks are the integral part of Pakistan. control these type of attack. However I do appreciate your love for your country.
You are right in saying that India should cooperate with Pakistan. Do you mean cooperation between India and ISI or Political Leadership or Army as all of them have their own separate ways. You are also right in saying that India has not controlled such type of attacks, the best way to control these type of attack is to dismantle the terror infrastructure, but unfortunately those terrorist camps are located in Swat and NWF areas, which Pakistan thinks are the integral part of Pakistan. control these type of attack. However I do appreciate your love for your country.
Brave talk!But a nation like Pakistan born amidst violence like Mr Jinnah's Direct Action Day in 1946 and which eliminated most of its minorities,particularly Hindus and Sikhs is destined to go up in flames.Those who live by the sword,die by the sword!You Pakistanis will know no peace till your nation ceases to exist in its present form. Sorry to spoil your fun,but you cannot change facts.Pakistan's hands are covered with blood of millions of innocents since 1947 and you will cease to exist amidst violence....Prophecy!
Why we should help your country? Who did this to your country? Your own nation fed the terrorists in order to attack India. Now, they are blood thirsty so they started killing you. You are responsible for your own pet snake(terrorists). Now tell me my dear "Proud Paki"! Do you have guts to root out terrorism and face India directly like a man.
IT IS YOUR COUNTRY BEHIND THIS LAHORE ATTACK STUPID, WE DON,T NEED ANY HELP FROM YOU, YOU CAN,T EVEN HELP YOUR SELF, YOU GUYS ARE GOOD STAGING THESE KIND OF ACTS AND POINT THE FINGER, WE ALREADY GUIDED TO THROUGH MUMBIA ATTCK, IT WAS PAKISTAN WHO PUT YOU ON RIGHT TRACK, NOW AFTER EMBARRISMENT OF MUMBIA ATTACK(AFTER THE TRUTH CAME OUT)YOU HAVE TO TRY SOME THING ELSE, PUNISH SL NOT LISTING TO YOU, SHAME ON YOU.
true...bcos ur few borothers are still in india .. who know only to kill other people
Fool, who did this to your country? It is your country which feede these terrorists against India, Now they liked the taste of blood
Zardari must have been feeding them the GPS position via his communication channels.
we all indian face this type of chellenge bravely.
The real objective of the terrorists was to take the Sri Lankan cricketers hostage and there were 12 of them to take long time care of the operation with sufficient ammunition and dry fruits. From the operation it is almost certain they were from the same camp from which Mumbai terrorists were deputed. With the Sri Lankans as hostages, the first sdemand wouyld have been for the release of Kasab. And for any damage to the cricketers the responsibility would have fallen on India. So it for India to be watchful of the designs as none from Lahore has been captured or killed. It is also not far off when some sections of Paki intelligencia start putting the blame on RAW.
Miandad,who could establish family relation with Dawood Ibrahim is shedding crocodile tears.Have you ever heared any Pak cricketer raising voice against home brewed terrorism? banking on their popularity Heroslike Imran Khan fight election but never fight the terrorists . By this attack they draw the last nail to pak cricket.
Still many worst things the world has to see from Pakistan. Really it is a failed state. By the by, when it was like a state? Ever since it formed on religious grounds, it did not have any proper civilian government. 90% of the time it was/is under military rule. No rule of law is there. We can not expect any better things from it. By propagating religious fundamentalism strongly it has become the victim of its own. No politician or leader in Pakistan knows what they want. Though it was a military rule which we hate it, to me it looks the Musharaf regime was better among all in Pakistan. He had some direction, however he has done mistakes. Otherwise all the other governments are worst. From this we Indians also have to learn the lesson of dangers of propagating a political philosophy on religious grounds. Our Hinduism is not a religion, it is a following. Let us follow it. No body can destroy it. Don’t give it a religious color. Otherwise one day we also may drown like Pakistan.
By tooth and nail, terrorism should be wiped out from the surface of earth. There should be no compromise with terror striking acts and the nations supporting it. There should be a movement globally to wipe out terrorilsm which has become a threat to mankind and it is claiming innocent lives, besides being a threat to the security fo every nation.
So very soon we should hear that they were the very same NON STATE ACTORS. The only difference being in one all the terrorists were killed except one who was captured and in this case all of them managed to escape. I really feel sad for common Pakistanis because their image takes a beating because of this misguided radicals who have lost all sense of what is right and what is wrong. However I really feel that both the political and military establishment of Pakistan is responsible for the state of affairs that exist in Pakistan today.
Every country must realize Pakistan is a terrorist country. Any country hobnobbing with terrorist Pakistan to undermine India's rising influence will meet the same fate as SriLankan's cricket team which ignored Indian intelligency agencies inputs and insteapd opted to hobnob with Pakistan to undermine India's geopolitical interests in S.E.Asia. China also will meet the same fate as it is already facing Al queda sponsored terrorist insurgency in some of their southwest provinces having sizable moslem population bordering countries like Khazakstan,Turkmenistan,Chechen of Russia.