PESHAWAR, April 30: An under-trial prisoner was shot dead by his rival on the sessions court’s premises here on Wednesday. The killer was also gunned down by a policeman present on the occasion when he tried to flee.

Sources told Dawn that Khan Gul, son of Mir Zaman, a resident of Akbarpura, appeared in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Yousufzai on Wednesday morning.

Khan Gul was arrested by the Hayatabad police on Dec 2, 2002 after a shootout in which one constable was injured. Mr Gul was accused of possessing hand-grenades and illegal weapons, which he was bringing from the tribal area for the purpose of killing his rival Abdul Qadir.

When Khan Gul came out of the court, witnesses said, Abdul Qadir, who was waiting in the guise of a lawyer, opened fire on him, killing him on the spot.

Later, Abdul Qadir tried to flee but a Constable Zahoor opened fire on him. Qadir died on the spot.