A scrap metal trader was shot dead by unidentified criminals at a slum in Mohakhali of the capital Thursday evening.

The reason behind the killing could not be ascertained immediately but a resident of the slum -- Sattola Bosti -- told The Daily Star that some criminals had been demanding toll from the deceased for long.

Police said the shooting took place around 7:00pm at the slum and doctors declared Rafiqul Islam, 32, dead around 8:00pm when he was brought to DhakaMedicalCollegeHospital.

Monir Hossain, an assistant sub-inspector of police camp at the DMCH, told The Daily Star that the marks of three shots were found on the body of the Rafiqul.