India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and local municipal councillor Rakesh Pandita was shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Wednesday.

Pandita was at his friend's home in Pulwama's Tral area when three terrorists barged in and opened fire,  media reports said.

While he died on the spot, a woman identified as Asifa Mushtaq was injured in the attack.

She is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Srinagar and her condition is learnt to be critical.

Police said the BJP leader had been provided with Personal Security Officers (PSO) and was lodged at a hotel in Srinagar to ensure his safety. However, he went to Tral without the security personnel.

"#Terrorists shot dead one councillor namely Rakesh Pandita in #Tral. Despite provided 02 PSOs & secured hotel accommodation in Srinagar, the said councillor went to Tral without PSOs. Area cordoned off & search is going on. @JmuKmrPolice," Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

"Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious designs, and those responsible for such heinous acts shall be brought to justice," Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said in a condolence statement. Former Chief Minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her condolences and condemned such acts of "senseless violence". (SAM)