A former minister of Pakistan was shot and four of his body guards were killed when a group of armed assailants attacked the opposition Awami Muslim League's office in this district of the country's north.

AML chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, who was information minister during President General Parvez Musharraf's government, received bullet injury in his leg and was rushed to a hospital.

Four security guards were killed and three, including Ahmed, were injured Monday evening when some unidentified gunmen opened indiscriminate firing at AML's campaign office in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area, party spokesman Lal Haveli said.

The spokesman said that the AML leader, who has been contesting in the by-elections scheduled to be held in the area Feb 24, was present in the office for campaigning preparations, Online news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the area has been cordoned off and security has been put on high alert in the city.