A dozen men attacked Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers March 3 ahead of a match in Pakistan, wounding several players, and killing six police officers and a civilian in a brazen attack on South Asia's most beloved sport.

The assailants ambushed the convoy carrying the squad and match officials at a traffic circle close to the main sports stadium in the eastern city of Lahore, triggering a 15-minute gunbattle with police guarding the vehicles.

None of the attackers was killed or captured at the scene, city police chief Haji Habibur Rehman said. Authorities did not speculate on the identities of the attackers or their motives.

The injuries to the members of the Sri Lankan squad — which included its coach, an Australian — were not believed to be life-threatening, officials said.

Three hours after the attack, at least eight players and team officials left the Gadaffi Stadium on a Pakistani Army helicopter that took off from the pitch. It was not immediately clear where the chopper was heading.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the attack, and ordered his foreign minister to immediately travel to Pakistan to help assist in the team's evacuation and ensure they are safe.