A Hindu teenager was shot dead in Pakistan after a Muslim convert was arrested for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.

Dewan Sateesh Kumar, 17, was shot alongside his friend Avinash who suffered serious injuries, as they drank tea at a stall in Sindh’s Ghotki district.

Tensions are now running high in the area and the police, with the help of Rangers are trying to diffuse the situation.

Matters escalated after allegations were brought against Amar Lal, who is a drug addict and mentally unstable started living in a mosque after his conversion from Hinduism to Islam a few months ago.

After the incident on Wednesday Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday directed the concerned officials to ensure community’s protection in the district.

Local leaders of religious parties including Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) have demanded “severe punishment” for the accused.

Soon after the incident, protesters took to the streets, burning tyres and attempting to ransack Hindu owned shops.

Lal has been detained and moved to an undisclosed location by police.