Boy's marathon coach shot dead in India

The controversial coach of a small boy who ran a marathon in an attempt to set a world record has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in eastern India, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Amitabh Thakur said Biranchi Das had been gunned down outside his training centre in the city of Bhubaneshwar.

Das gained fame after coaching then four-year-old Budhia Singh in a 40 mile run - a feat that also drew immediate, widespread condemnation from medical officials and child rights activists.

Police said today it is unlikely that the killing that occurred the night before has anything to do with the boy.