Police in southern Pakistan shot dead a blasphemy suspect during an alleged shootout with armed men, officials said Thursday, the second such apparent extra-judicial killing in a week, drawing condemnation from human rights groups.

Dr Shahnawaz Kanbar was killed in a shootout with police in Sindh province amidst allegations of blasphemy that prompted him to flee near Mirpurkhas, approximately 250 km northeast of Karachi.

Police in southern Pakistan have shot dead a doctor accused of blasphemy, drawing condemnation from human rights groups. Dr Shahnawaz Kanbhar was killed "just by chance" in shootout with officers who did not know it was him,

Pakistani authorities have suspended policemen who opened fire and killed a blasphemy suspect earlier this week, only to be applauded and showered with rose petals by local residents after the killing.

The victim had posted a video of himself from a hotel claiming that his account had been hacked and he could not even imagine sharing blasphemous content.