GILGIT, June 25: An unknown gunman shot dead a judge dealing with anti-terrorism cases here, police said on Sunday. Judge Jamshed Khan and his bodyguard were on an evening stroll in the park on Saturday when a man rushed towards him and shot him, a senior police official told AFP.

Mr Khan was rushed to hospital but died on way as at least one bullet pierced his brain, the official said, requesting anonymity.

The attacker fled and police had launched a manhunt, he said.

He was hearing cases of dozens of suspects arrested during last year’s violence between Shia and Sunni sects, the official said.

Gilgit was placed under curfew in January last year after 17 people died in riots sparked by the murder of a top Shia leader.—AFP