Peru's president declared a state of emergency in the capital and deployed soldiers to help police address a surge of violence, amid widespread outcry a day after the killing of a popular singer Paul Flores.

Paul Flores was shot dead by hitmen who attacked a bus he was riding with bandmates as they left a concert outside Lima, officials said.

Peru's government declared on Monday a state of emergency in the capital Lima while it also deployed soldiers to the streets to help quell a recent surge of violence that claimed the life of a popular singer.