QUETTA, April 14: The chief editor of a newspaper in Hub was gunned down on Monday and a photographer of the newspaper was injured.

According to police sources, Khadim Hussain Sheikh, chief editor of Daily Hub News, was going to his office along with photographer Mohammad Ishaq when two people on a bike opened fire on them on Sakaran road.

The journalist was shot in the chest and died on the spot, while the photographer suffered injuries and was taken to the Civil Hospital.

The assailants escaped, leaving their motorcycle and a pistol used in the firing.

A senior police officer said 10 suspects had been detained for interrogation.

Khadim Hussain was also working as the bureau chief of a private TV channel.

Our Staff Reporter adds from Islamabad: The government condemned the killing of Khadim Hussain and pledged to provide financial support to his family. Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani ordered a police inquiry into the murder.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said that 40 journalists had lost their lives in the line of duty over the past five years, which was a matter of great concern.

She said the government was in contact with the family of the journalist and was determined to provide it moral and monitory support.

Ms Rehman said the government was working to set up a “victim journalists” fund to provide monitory help to the families of slain journalists.