Two Hindu pilgrims killed in Pakistani attack

SUKKUR, Pakistan, May 29 (Reuters) Unidentified gunmen attacked a convoy of Hindu pilgrims in Pakistan killing two and wounding seven, police said today.

While violence between militants from Muslim sects is relatively common in Pakistan, the country's tiny Hindu minority has not suffered serious violence in recent years.

The convoy of about 20 vehicles carrying Pakistani and Indian Hindus was attacked late yesterday in a remote part of Sindh province, police said.

''They were returning from a holy place when three armed men opened fire and killed two men and wounded seven,'' said police official Rana Sanaullah.

Sanaullah and hospital officials said all of the dead and wounded were Pakistanis.

''It was terrorism. They're trying to discourage us from coming here,'' said one pilgrim from India, Ramesh Lal.

Pakistan has recently relaxed entry restrictions for Hindus and Sikhs from India wishing to visit holy sites, as part of gradually improving relations between the South Asian rivals.

REUTERS SHB PM1742