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An Indian student from Lancaster University was shot dead by a white gunman near a McDonald’s restaurant in Salford, Greater Manchester, early on Monday in what the police described as an “unprovoked attack”, but they declined to comment on speculation that it might have been racially motivated.

The boy’s parents, who are in India, have been informed of his death.

The 23-year-old victim, who was a postgraduate electronic student but had not been named at the time of going to the press, was holidaying in Salford with a group of nine male and female friends, all Indians, over the Christmas break.

Police said the boy and his friends, who were staying in a hotel not far from the murder scene, were heading towards the City Centre around 1.30 a.m. when they were approached by two men. After a “very short” conversation, one reportedly pulled out a gun and shot him in the head from close range. The two then fled even as the boy lay on the ground bleeding heavily. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

The gunman, who was said to be wearing a grey top, was described as white, in his mid-20s, and of slim build. His accomplice, who wore a black jacket, was described as of heavier build.

Police said the victim’s friends had given initial witness statements and would be kept in “in a safe place” until they returned to their university.

Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan declined to “go into details” of the students’ conversation with the gunman before the attack.

“This appears to be an unprovoked attack and we can’t establish a motive at this time. We are investigating every possible aspect and we are in the early stages of the investigation but we are not ruling anything out,” he said suggesting that the racial angle was being investigated.

Police presence in the area was strengthened amid fears of tension among the local Indian community.

“This will undoubtedly cause shock and upset in our community and we share those feelings. We will relentlessly pursue every possible lead we have in order to identify the offenders and bring them to justice,” Chief Supt Mulligan said appealing for any information that could help police in their investigations.

“I believe the answers to who did this will lie in our community. Someone will know who was responsible and I want to implore those people to be courageous This young man was simply visiting Manchester with his friends and has been killed, and his family deserve to see those responsible brought to justice. Please, if you know something, then do what is right and come forward - anonymously if necessary. If it was your brother, son, husband or friend who was killed while visiting another city you would want justice, so please help us do the same,” he said.