Washington: Boston police are investigating the murder of an Indian student of Boston University whose body was found lying on the road in front of his house, about a mile from campus.

Police have not yet released the name of the victim of the Thursday night murder because the body has not yet been identified by a family member, but media reports said he was a 24-year-old Indian student at the university's Graduate School of Management.

The victim had been shot in the head and leg, and was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made in the case, which is being investigated by the Boston Police Department and the Boston University Police Department.

"We have added patrols for the neighbourhood and detectives continue to look for clues in this tragic incident," said Boston Police Captain James Hussey as cited by the Boston University website.

"Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the student," BU president Robert A. Brown said in a statement. "We are all deeply saddened by his death."

Brown, who sent a letter expressing his concern to the BU community, said he has asked Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore to provide support to any member of the community who needs it.

"This appears to be an isolated incident," said Brown. "I want to assure all students, whether they live on campus or off campus, that public safety is a priority for this institution."