Indian student murdered in Salford street attack Published duration 26 December 2011

image caption Anuj Bidve was studying at Lancaster University.

A 23-year-old student from India has died after he was shot in the head at close range, in what police say was an "unprovoked attack" in Salford.

Greater Manchester Police said Anuj Bidve was with nine students, all Indians, when they were approached by two men early on Monday.

Following a "very short" conversation, one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot the Lancaster University student.

The gunman was described as white, in his mid-20s, and of slim build.

He was said to be wearing a grey top and his accomplice was described as of heavier build and wearing a black jacket.

The men fled towards Asgard Drive following the shooting.

Police said the group of male and female students, who had been staying in a nearby hotel for a break over Christmas, had given initial witness statements and were "in a safe place" with police until they returned to their university.

Mr Bidve's parents, who are in India, have been informed of his death. His Facebook profile states his hometown as Pune, in Maharashtra.

Ch Supt Kevin Mulligan said he did not want to go into details about the conversation the students had had with the gunman.

He said "This appears to be an unprovoked attack and we can't establish a motive at this time.

"We are investigating every possible aspect and we are in the early stages of the investigation, but we are not ruling anything out."

The force has increased patrols in the area and officers from Greater Manchester Police's major incident team are working alongside neighbourhood officers investigating the shooting.

'Be courageous'

Mr Mulligan extended "deepest sympathies" to Mr Bidve's family and friends.

"I believe the answers to who did this will lie in our community," he said.

media caption Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan: "We want people from the community to come forward if they witnessed it or have any information"

"Someone will know who was responsible and I want to implore those people to be courageous.

"Please, if you know something, then do what is right and come forward - anonymously if necessary.

"If it was your brother, son, husband or friend who was killed while visiting another city, you would want justice, so please help us do the same."

Earlier Lancaster University had confirmed that the victim was a postgraduate student who had been studying micro-electronics.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this time, and counselling and support has been organised for his fellow students who are deeply upset," it said.