Balochistan Education Minister Shafiq Ahmed Khan was gunned down on Sunday by unknown assailants in Quetta, capital of the troubled province.

The police said Shafiq Khan was shot while returning home from a meeting at a local hotel on security in education institutions. At the meeting he announced that all educational institutions would reopen on Monday and assured that the government would provide all possible security.

The Balochistan United Front (BUF), an insurgent group fighting for an independent Balochistan, claimed responsibility.

“Khan was coming out of his jeep in front of his home when two unidentified attackers riding a motorbike sprayed bullets at him one of which hit his head,” the city police chief said. He was rushed to the hospital but he succumbed on way.

Khan, from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was a popular figure in the province and was affectionately called “lala” (elder brother) by the people. He was traveling without any security escort along with his father-in-law who escaped unhurt.