Pakistani Police say they have shot dead Malik Ishaq, the leader of banned Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Ishaq, who was detained last week in connection with eight recent sectarian killings, was in a police convoy in Punjab province when supporters opened fire in an attempt to free him.

According to reports, Ishaq was killed in a gun fight along with his two sons and eleven militants in Muzaffargarh district.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has been behind some of the most violent attacks on Shia Muslims in recent years.

Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada confirmed the news while a doctor at Muzaffargarh District Hospital said 14 bodies had been received there and six police officers were also reported injured.

The exact circumstances of the killing remain unclear.