Pakistani security forces have launched a major operation to hunt down gunmen who hijacked two buses and killed at least 19 passengers before fleeing.

Ireland’s quest to cure their chronic lack of games against full-member nations could take them to Pakistan after confirmation talks have re-opened over a possible tour of the strife-torn nation.

There is little prospect of Pakistan returning home any time soon to a country which has suffered more than 7,000 terrorist incidents since 2006.

Masked gunmen armed with rifles and rocket launchers attacked Sri Lanka’s national cricket team in Pakistan today, wounding at least two players and killing five police officers.