Lucknow, Feb 8 (IANS): A businessman was shot dead in the state capital by two unidentified bike-borne assailants on Thursday, police said.

Raj Kumar aka Babloo, a tent businessman, was on his way to the tent house when his Scorpio car was intercepted and he was shot dead in the Vrindavan colony near the SGPGI.

A 9mm pistol was used in the crime, an official said, adding that the assailants wore helmets while shooting.

Locals rushed the victim to the trauma centre where he was declared brought dead.

Inspector P.K. Rai informed that the deceased was identified by the number of his car and his family has been informed about the incident.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lucknow Deepak Kumar, who rushed to the crime scene, told reporters that prima facie the murder appeared to have been executed by some person known to the victim and added that nearby CCTVs' footage was being scrutinised to check if the number of the vehicle used by the assailants could be identified.

A ladies handbag has also been recovered near the crime scene and the police is taking it as evidence and trying to get leads.