Allama Ali Sher, top leader of a banned Sunni group, was shot dead Monday morning in Khairpur, a town in the southern Pakistani province of Sindh, according to local TV reports.

The chief of banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba was on his way back home from Dost Muhammed Abro to Pir Jo Goth, when some unidentified miscreants opened fire at him, killing him and his associate on the spot, the private Geo News reported.

The attacker was also killed in the retaliatory fire by the guards. However, he could not be identified.

According to reports, at least six people were injured in the incident. The bodies and injured have been shifted to the Civil Hospital Khairpur.

Tension prevails over the entire area following the killings. Contingents of police have been deployed across the district to avert any potential untoward situation. Police are continuously on patrol in various areas.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2009)