HYDERABAD, Nov 8 A policeman was stabbed to death by a mob after he shot at and injured a shopkeeper in the Hala Naka area here on Monday.

Policeman Barkat Khan, who was on guard duty at the Muslim Commercial Bank' Hala Naka branch, and shopkeeper Hayat Khan were involved in a dispute.

When Hayat Khan came to the bank on Monday, hot words were exchanged between the two and he was seriously injured when Barkat Khan fired at him.

In the meantime, a large number of supporters of Hayat Khan came there and stabbed Barkat Khan to death. Sub-inspector Farrukh Zaman, who tried to intervene, received knife injuries. A heavy contingent of police rushed to the area and brought the situation under control.

Hala Naka market was closed amid tension in the area.

Hayat Khan was taken to the Civil Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit. No FIR has so far been registered at the Hatri police station.

Police claimed that the gun of the policeman went off when Hayat Khan tried to snatch it.

DPO of Hyderabad Munir Ahmed Shaikh has appointed SP of headquarters Noorul Haq Rind as an inquiry officer to conduct an inquiry into the incident.