A senior journalist Anil Majumdar, executive editor of Guwahati-based Assamese Daily Aji was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at the gate of his residence in the heart of Guwahati at 10-30 on Tuesday night.

Police informed that assailants fired upon the 40-year-old  journalist from close range while he was sitting inside his car even as his driver was opening the gate to his residence. He was declared brought dead at the hospital.

He was returning from his newspaper office at Ulubari area. Police informed that at least five bullets were pumped into his body before the assailants fled in a silver colour Tata Indica (AS 01 H 5973).

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants were suspected to be waiting at the spot since 7:30 p.m.

The slain editor is survived by his wife and two minor daughters.

A number of senior ministers in Assam, leaders of opposition political parties, a large number of journalists rushed to the hospital on hearing about the murder of the journalist.