Pak govt official shot dead

A government official was shot dead by armed men in the restive Balochistan province of southwest Pakistan today, security officials said.

Abdul Qadeer, an engineer of the Building and Roads Department, was killed in Panjgur district by gunmen riding a motorbike.

He was on his way home from work when he was attacked, officials of the Levies militia said.

Qadeer was hit by several bullets and died instantly.

His body was handed over to his family after an autopsy.

The reason for the killing could not immediately be ascertained.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident.

Several militant groups, including the Taliban, are active in Balochistan.