Pakistan Accused Of Security Lapses In Lahore

The Pakistan government and its national cricket governing body are coming under increasing pressure over apparent security lapses in the build-up to the terrorist attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore earlier this week.

Up to 14 gunmen took part in the attack which killed six policemen and a driver, and injured eight tour members.

Reports suggest that, since the government had pledged to provide the highest levels of security to the Sri Lankan cricket team, the attack has undermined confidence in Pakistan’s security apparatus.

According to some speculation, a security report predicted the events in Lahore prior to the event but the Pakistan government and its cricket governing body chose to ignore the advice.

There are also suggestions in some parts of the media that the Pakistani security detail was part of the terrorist conspiracy given how the second bus containing many of the police escort was some way behind the initial vehicle that was targeted.

Simon Taufel, one of the umpires caught up in the attack, has criticised the lack of security.

‘We were promised a nine [out of ten for security] and got delivered a two. The gunfire .. it just kept going. We thought, when’s it going to stop? Who’s going to come and save us, how are we going to get out of here?

‘You tell me why supposedly 20 armed commandos were in our convoy and when the team bus got going again, we were left on our own? I don’t have any answers to these questions.’

English match referee Chris Broad accused Pakistan of not providing adequate protection for the team.

He said he had raised concerns about security before the team travelled to Pakistan but had been promised high level security protection.

Video footage shot during the attack showed ‘terrorists shooting past our van, sometimes into our van – and not a sign of a policeman anywhere,’ said Broad.

‘They had gone, left the scene, and left us to be sitting ducks. I am extremely angry that we were promised high-level security and in our hour of need that security vanished.’

Broad’s claims were strongly denied by Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, who referred to the policemen killed by the attackers.

The attacks are expected to have massive ramifications for the cricket world, with the ICC considering whether Pakistan can co-host World Cup matches in 2011 and the Champions Trophy later this year.

Other tournaments across the sub-continent including the upcoming Indian Premier League are also under threat of cancellation.