Agra, Feb 10 (IANS): A young woman dressed as a bride was shot dead by her paramour in Agra who then turned the gun on himself, police said Tuesday.

Malti, 19, a resident of village Lakhnamai of Etmadpur tehsil of Agra district, was in a relationship with her cousin Sonu, 25, for the past two years, villagers told the police.

But their love story took a tragic turn Monday, a few days short of Valentine's Day Feb 14, the day when she was slated to marry someone else.

A cousin of Malti told police that Sonu called her to meet him around 7 p.m. Malti told her family members that she was going to answer nature's call but never returned.

After a long wait, the family members went searching for her, but found the two lying in a pool of blood late Monday.

The woman was all decked up as a bride and had been shot in the temple by Sonu who then shot himself, police said.

Villagers took Sonu to the hospital, but he collapsed on the way. Senior police officers reached the village late Monday to investigate.

A cousin of the deceased woman told the police that before killing themselves the couple got married and exchanged garlands.

However, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Modak said it could be a case of murder and suicide, and that investigations are on. The firearm used and mobile phones have not been found.

A senior police officer who did not wish to be named said it could also be a case of honour killing.