Bhubaneswar (PTI): Child marathon runner Budhia Singh's former coach Biranchi Das, was shot dead by unidentified assailants here on Sunday evening, police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Amitabh Thakur confirmed that Das was dead and the police were gathering further details.

Das, a judo coach, was sitting inside the judo centre in BJB College area along with some of his friends after a training session when the assailants struck, police said.

After bullets hit him on his neck, chest and leg, Das was taken to the Capital Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, police sources said.

Senior police officials rushed to the site and the hospital soon after the incident.

Das was instrumental in discovering the hidden talent in Budhia, who created a record of sorts by running 65 km non-stop from Puri to Bhubaneswar in May 2006.