Islamabad: A senior journalist was shot dead on Tuesday by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, police said.

Zaman Mehsud, who was associated with Urdu daily Ummat, came under attack when he left home on motorcycle in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Xinhua reported.

Two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire, injuring him. Locals shifted him to a hospital where he died.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, while police said the motive was unclear.

The attack took place a day after media workers observed a day of journalist safety.

Mehsud, who belonged to South Waziristan region, had served as the president and secretary general of the Tribal Union of Journalists. He was also a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Journalists condemned the murder and demanded arrest of those involved.