A sector in-charge of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Dr Naushad, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Hyderabad on Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

The MQM leader, a veterinary doctor, was returning home after dropping off his children at school. Unidentified men opened fire on him when he stepped out of his car near his house on Hali Road.

Residents of the area called police after spotting his body, which was subsequently shifted to Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad.

Several MPAs and supporters of MQM-P reached the hospital as news spread of Dr Naushad's killing.

DawnNews quoted a witness, a child, as saying that he saw three masked assailants, who were riding a motorbike, opening fire on the activist.

Dr Naushad received three bullets in the chest and one in his face, police said.

Dr Naushad was considered to be a close aide of MQM-P deputy convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. He was quite active in Hyderabad and looked after a sector of MQM-P.

Police are investigating the incident and the reason behind the killing is yet to be determined.

Earlier in September, MQM-P leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan was the target of an assassination attempt in Karachi's Buffer Zone area.

Hassan, who is the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, had escaped unhurt. However, four others were injured in the incident.

Eight suspected militants belonging to the newly-formed Ansarul Sharia Pakistan (ASP), who were said to be involved in the attack on Khawaja Izhar, were shot dead in an ‘encounter’ by security forces on Saturday.