ISLAMABAD: A man was gunned down in the Fruit and Vegetable Market, commonly known as the Sabzi Mandi, on Wednesday, police said.

The incident, which seems to be a case of targeted killing, occurred a short distance from the Sabzi Mandi police station.

The victim was identified as Mohammad Yaqoob who lived in his shop at the market.

Two men on a motorcycle came to the shop at about 4am and knocked on the door. They opened fire at Mohammad as soon as he opened the door for them.

The men then fled the scene before people came out of their shops and nearby homes to see what the commotion was about. Mohammad was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police collected evidence from the scene and recorded statements. A police official said the case seemed that of targeted killing.

He added that so far, the motive of the killing was not known and that they are investigating claims that Mohammad was asked to pay extortion money by a militant organisation.

The police official said there were also claims that Mohammad had been threatened by some Afghans who were annoyed he had stopped doing business with them over the issue of non-payment. usinessmen and shopkeepers staged a protest over the killing in the Sabzi Mandi and also blocked the road around the market. The protesters chanted slogans against the police saying they could not protect their lives and property.