A politician running for a provincial assembly seat in south-western Pakistan has been shot dead, a government official said today.

Saeed Ahmad said Abdul Fatah Magsi was gunned down in Jhal Magsi, about 350km south-east of Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province.

Mr Ahmad said the candidate's supporters fired back and killed two of the gunmen. He said the attack appeared to be the result of a political rivalry.

Mr Ahmad said the election in the constituency has been postponed, which is mandatory whenever a candidate is killed.

National and provincial assembly elections are scheduled to take place across the country on May 11.

Baluchistan is home to both Islamic militants and separatists who have been waging a bloody insurgency against the government for decades.

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