Attack on Sri Lankan Cricketers in Pakistan: Is It A Case of Terror Outsourcing?

By Animesh Roul

Dozens armed terrorists with bullet proof vests, possibly Islamists, attacked the touring Sri Lankan cricket team with rockets, grenades and assault rifles on Tuesday morning as they were on their way to the venue of a Cricket Match in Lahore, Pakistan. The attack reportedly killed at least five security personnel and injured six Lankan cricketers. The players received shrapnel and bullet injuries.

Among the injured players, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavithana have suffered minor injuries in the attack,as per the media report.

Pakistan's Security personnel so far arrested four suspects from model town area of the city.

It’s for the first time Cricket players, who enjoyed the status of Demi- God in the in the entire subcontinent and the game itself considered ‘religion’, faced terrorist wrath. Even though, Pakistan has been plagued by Islamic terror, never before Islamic terrorists have attacked cricketers.

The big question of the time is: why Sri Lankan players faced the music? It is rather intriguing for many as Sri Lanka is no way a western country or ally of USA or UK in the ongoing war on terror.

I presume two things at this juncture when nothing is clear on the ground. I strongly believe that Cricket is not ‘Unislamic’ as this popular sport has nothing to do with any religion. But it could be a reason for Pro-Taliban and Qaeda elements to claim or reinterpret that this is against Islamic tenets, as it is covered by television channels and for the glamour and vulgarity attached to the game.

Again, if one could stretch his/her imagination bit far, it looks like case of terror outsourcing. It is not unthinkable to believe that the Tamil rebels have outsourced the task to Islamic terrorists in Pakistan. Facing severe setbacks at home, Tamil rebels might have planned their last of the remaining arsenals: Guerrilla tactics at home and at the same time, targeting high profile Lankan personalities (Sinhalese or Pro- Government elements) abroad.

However, while the question remains about the true nature of Tuesday’s attack, it vindicates the view that Pakistan is fast sliding into medieval era with absence of rule of law (with Shariat and tribal rule in place in some areas and more coming ahead). The latest event is continuation of the ongoing chaos and violence that have been order of the day in Pakistan. Today’s attack clearly spells the end of Pakistan’s international cricketing position and raises serious concerns about the country’s internal security and security for foreign nationals in Pakistan.