Pakistani journalist killed in troubled northwest

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan, Sep 15 (Reuters) A Pakistani journalist has been killed in a drive-by shooting in an area known for sectarian violence in the northwest of the country, officials said today.

The journalist, Maqbool Hussain Siyal, was heading to the press club in the town of Dera Ismail Khan when two assailants riding on a motorcycle opened fire on him late yesterday.

Sial, who belonged to the minority Shi'ite Muslim community, died instantly.

Police said they had detained some suspects but it was too early to ascertain the motive behind the killing.

Thousands of people have been killed in Pakistan in rivalry between militants from majority Sunni and minority Shi'ite Muslims in nearly two decades. Dera Ismail Khan has long been known for violence between sectarian militants.

Journalist bodies and Shi'ite organisations condemned the killing.

REUTERS MQA BD1355