The most notorious paramilitary leader in Serbia -- Zeljko Raznatovic, known as Arkan -- has been shot and killed in the Yugoslav capital, Belgrade.

Arkan died of head wounds in hospital, about two hours after being shot through his left eye.

Reports say the attack was carried out by an unidentified lone gunman, and the BBC Belgrade correspondent says it bears the hallmarks of a gangland killing. One of Arkan's associates was also killed, and one of his bodyguards injured.

The shooting happened at the Intercontinental Hotel in Belgrade. Arkan was wanted by the International War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague for war crimes allegedly committed in Bosnia.

More recently, his paramilitary group, known as "The Tigers", was accused of committing atrocities during the conflict in Kosovo.

Our correspondent say Arkan was heavily involved in smuggling and black-market activities,and had amassed considerable wealth.

He also owned one of Serbia's top football clubs.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service