HUNZA, May 13: A senior doctor was shot dead by a man in Gilgit late Monday night.

Police sources said Dr Agha Jan, the first child specialist of Gilgit-Baltistan, was shot dead allegedly by his neighbour near his clinic in the city.

He was laid to rest after post mortem in Gilgit in presence of a large number of people.

Chief Secretary, Chief Executive, Home Secretary and other high government officials were also attended the funeral ceremony.

The incident triggered protests in his native Aliabad town, Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit. Local youth and schoolchildren blocked Karakoram Highway (KKH) for four hours for all kinds of traffic and burnt tyres.

A funeral prayer in absentia for the doctor was offered at Aliabad which was attended hundreds of people from Hunza and Nagar.

Later speaking to the protesters PPP leader Ghulam Muhammad, Progressive Youth Front’s Baba Jan, Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance leader Ikramullah Baig, contractors’ association president Bilal Hussain, and other community leaders condemned the brutal murder of the doctor and threatened the government of violent protests if the culprit was not arrested in 72 hours punished.

The speakers called it a target killing and criticised the role of Gilgit administration.

KKH remained blocked for all types of traffic for four hours. All shops, hotels, schools, colleges and government offices were closed.