Islamabad, Jun 3 (IANS): At least seven people, including two policemen, died Sunday after unidentified masked gunmen opened fire at a shop in Pakistan's Quetta city, officials said.

The attack took place just hours ahead of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's two-day visit to the city, Xinhua reported. The city has been put on high alert for Gilani's tour.

Police said four attackers armed with automatic guns and riding on two motorcycles reached a shop on Sirki road and opened fire at people present in the shop. The attackers hid their faces with masks.

Five people, including the owner of the shop and his son, died on the spot.

The attackers fled the spot but two policemen riding on a motorbike tried to stop them. The escaping militants sprayed bullets at the policemen, killing one on the spot.

The second policeman died from his injuries on way to a hospital.

Gilani will hold a special meeting on the restive condition of Balochistan province. The meeting will consider amending the existing rules and forming new laws for eliminating terrorism and maintaining law and order in the province.