A CAREFULLY-PLANNED terrorist ambush wounded seven Sri Lankan cricketers and a British trainer in Pakistan yesterday sending shockwaves around the world of sport.

Six police guards and a civilian were killed in the attack by at least a dozen gunmen on the team’s coach as it headed for a test match in Lahore.

No-one has claimed responsibility but the shooters used similar weapons and tactics to the al Qaida-linked, Pakistan-based terrorists who murdered 164 people in Mumbai, India, three months ago.

The head of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, Rehman Malik, said the country was “in a state of war”.

The attack was instantly condemned by sporting bodies and threw into doubt Pakistan’s place in world sport.

Several countries had already cancelled planned tours there because of security fears, and the country is due to host the World Cricket Championships in 2011.

The ambush came as the players’ coach and escorting vehicles slowed for a roundabout. The terrorists, armed with assault rifles, rocket launchers and grenades, opened fire riddling the coach with bullets which sped away to the safety of the Gaddafi Stadium.

The attackers then continued to fire at escorting police cars and vans for several minutes before regrouping and calmly walking from the scene. Last night, all remained on the loose.

Seven players and British trainer Paul Farbrace were hurt – none seriously. A local umpire travelling on the coach was shot in the stomach and needed emergency surgery.

The assault was one of the worst terrorist attacks on a sports team since Palestinian militants killed 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Former Kent and Middlesex cricketer Farbrace said he was “very lucky” to be alive.

“People have talked about grenades, rocket-launchers and all sorts, but I have to say I wasn’t aware of too much because I was lying on the floor of the coach and just hoping to God I wasn’t going to be struck,” he said.