A senior doctor belonging to the Ahmadi minority community in Pakistan was allegedly shot dead over his faith in Punjab province, police said on Friday.

“Dr Sheikh Mahmood, 58, a senior gastroenterologist of the Ahmadi community, was allegedly shot dead at a private hospital in Sargodha, some 200 kilometres from Lahore, by an armed suspect,” a police officer said.

This is the third murder of a professional of the Ahmadi community in the past two months in Punjab.

The police official said a young man entered Dr Mahmood’s clinic and opened fire at him, leaving him seriously injured.

He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The police officer said Dr Mahmood was apparently shot dead over his faith. Meanwhile, the gunman managed to flee.

The Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan (JAP) said it suspected that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) might be behind the incident.

“Sargodha has been a hotspot of anti-Ahmadi activities for quite sometimes and Dr Mahmood, who was a well-known humanitarian, received threats from religious extremists,” it said, adding the senior medic was also forced to quit his government job due to pressure from some TLP activists and anti-Ahmadi groups.

“The government must take concrete action to protect the Ahmadiyya community,” it demanded.

The victim is survived by his wife, two daughters and as many sons.

The human rights groups have called for a fast-track investigation to arrest the suspect.