Homeland Security

Pak urged to take urgent steps to dismantle terror infrastructure

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 3, IRNA -- Urging Pakistan to take urgent steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure from its soil, India Tuesday expressed shock and anguish over the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers near Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them in Lahore this morning when the players were on their way to stadium for the third day's play of the second Test match.

"The international community must take note… such kinds of attack will continue if steps are not taken to address the problem," said India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee while condemning the dastardly attack.

While condemning the attack, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma Sharma told reporters: "We are shocked at the incident. We wish them speedy recovery," adding that the terrorists based in Pakistan are a threat to the entire world.

The Pakistan government should take urgent and meaningful steps to dismantle terrorism infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram, while strongly condemning the attack on cricketers said: "The attack in which gunmen with sophisticated weapons, including rocket launchers, singled out the Sri Lankan team, injuring players is shocking."

"It is quite obvious that security of the Sri Lankan players has been hopelessly inadequate. We are sorry for them. We hope they will recover soon," Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) while condemning the heinous terrorist attack on the touring Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore said: "The attack highlights the grave security situation in Pakistan and the extent to which the terrorist activities have grown in that country. The people of Pakistan will surely realize how serious a threat terrorism is. We also hope that the peace-loving and democratic people of Pakistan will unitedly and resolutely take up the challenge of facing this serious threat."