New Delhi, April 3 (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday termed the killing of inspector Tanzil Ahmad in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district as a "planned attack".

"In an planned attack, NIA inspector Tanzil Ahmad was killed," NIA spokesman Sanjeev Kumar told reporters here, saying the premier investigating agency will try to find out how the inspector was tracked by his assailants.

Tanzil, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was returning from a wedding in Bijnor district, was with the NIA for six and a half years. He was originally from the Border Security Force posted as an assistant commandant.

According to the spokesperson, the assailants came on motorbikes and opened fire from a close range near Sahaspur town.

Sources said he was reportedly shot 21 times and his wife sustained four bullet injuries. Their children were unhurt.

While Tanzil was pronounced dead on being taken to a medical facility in Moradabad, his wife Farzana is critical and battling for her life in a Noida hospital.

NIA officials from Lucknow have rushed to the scene to further probe the incident.

The funeral of the deceased officer is likely to take place on Sunday evening.