By IANS,
New Delhi : India Tuesday expressed shock at the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistan and asked Islamabad to take “urgent” and “meaningful steps” to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure on its soil.
“We are shocked at the incident,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told reporters when asked to react to the shootout near Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium Tuesday morning in which six Sri Lankan players were injured.
“We wish them speedy recovery,” he said. Sri Lankan cricketers, including captain Mahela Jayawaredene, his deputy Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana were injured in the attack.
“The terrorists based in Pakistan are a threat to the entire world,” he said.
“The Pakistan government should take urgent and meaningful steps to dismantle terrorism infrastructure,” the minister said.
He said the Indian government had taken a conscious decision not to send its team to Pakistan. “It was not possible to expose the Indian team, and though it was a difficult decision, but it was taken (not to send them to Pakistan) to save our own cricketers”.
Armed terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan players who were on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second and the final Test match there. Five escorting policemen were killed in the attack.