KAZAN. July 19. KAZINFORM One Russian Muslim leader has been shot dead and another wounded, in separate attacks in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, media reports say.

As BBC informed, the Mufti of Tatarstan, Ildus Fayzov, was injured when his car was blown up as he left a radio station in the city of Kazan, the reports said.

A former deputy mufti, Valiulla Yakupov, was shot dead near his home at about the same time.

There have been a number of deadly attacks on Russian Muslim clerics.

The motive in this case is unclear.

Mr Yakupov is reported to have been shot as he left his home but managed to reach his car before he died.

He was the head of education at the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Tatarstan.

Interfax news agency reported that he founded Russia's first Islamic literary publishing house and was known as a fierce opponent of Islamic radicalism.

Security around religious leaders and sites in Tatarstan has been tightened, according to the agency.