Olympic boxer Abrar Hussain shot dead in Pakistan

The growing violence in the Baluchistan province has claimed the life of Pakistan's well known Olympic boxer Abrar Hussain.

Abrar, 51, was shot dead by target killers as he came out of his office in the Ayub Stadium, where he worked as the Chairman of the Baluchistan Sport Board.

"He was shot several times and was also hit in the head. He was rushed to hospital but died before any medical help could be given to him," Akram Khan the secretary of the Pakistan Boxing Federation said.

Abrar remained a big name in Pakistan boxing having won the gold medal in the Asian Games in 1990 at Beijing and in many other Asian competitions including the second and fourth South Asian Games.

He also represented Pakistan in three Olympics in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 games and was awarded the highest civilian awards the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance for his exploits by the government.

Khan said that Abrar was a qualified boxing coach which he did from Germany.

"He was a legendary figure in Pakistan and Asian boxing and we had also nominated him as our representative in many international events."

Quetta has been the hub of violent attacks by separatists and Taliban militants who attack security forces and government officials for different agendas.

Target killings have also become a norm in Quetta, the capital of the province.

Police official Hamid Shakil said that they were investigating the killing to find out the motive behind the shooting.

"It could be personal enmity or a target killing as part of the ongoing violence by militants and separatists but we can confirm he died due to shots to his head," he said.