Chinese diplomat killed in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (CNN) -- An employee of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has been killed in an armed assault, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.

Two unidentified gunmen with pistols shot and killed the embassy employee Saturday night, Kyrgyz Interior Ministry sources told Interfax.

Preliminary reports indicate that the victim served in the post of consul in the former Soviet republic in central Asia.

The gunmen attacked the diplomat as he sat in his Mercedes-Benz, killing him, the driver and another Chinese citizen, the sources said. The attackers then fled in another car.

Sources said they believe the killing was politically motivated.