Top Indian scientist shot dead

DEHRADUN: The Director of Uttaranchal Space Application Centre, Dr Anil Kumar Tiwari, was shot dead by an unidentified person near his residence here, police said on Sunday.

Tiwari was shot and critically wounded on Saturday night. He succumbed to injuries at a hospital on Sunday evening, they said.

The incident happened when the scientist was returning home after attending a party, police said.

A man, to be identified, approached Tiwari outside his Mohit Nagar house and fired a shot at him after a brief altercation.

The bullet pierced Tiwari's chest, police said he was immediately rushed to a private hospital where an operation was conducted to remove the bullet.

His condition deteriorated and he died this evening.

Expressing shock over the incident, Chief Minister N D Tiwari said an inquiry had been ordered into the gunning down of the scientist.