THANE: Local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was killed after unidentified assailants shot and assaulted him in Maharashtra's Thane city, police said.

The incident, which occurred around 9 pm on Tuesday in the Kapurbawdi police station limits, sparked tension in the area and widespread concern among local party workers and supporters.

The motive behind the attack was not yet known, the police said on Tuesday night. Authorities were investigating all potential angles, including political rivalry and personal enmity.

Purnekar was the Thane 'vibhag pramukh', or division head of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena (UBT), a party leader said.

Following the attack, Purnekar was rushed to Infinity Hospital near R Mall on Ghodbunder Road, where medical staff immediately initiated emergency intervention. He sustained serious bullet injuries and died during treatment, according to the police.

After being alerted, a police team reached the scene to secure the area and collect forensic evidence.

Investigators were scanning CCTV footage of the area and surrounding arterial roads to trace the perpetrators' escape routes.

'Nakabandi' or checkpoints have been set up across major exits in Thane to catch the suspects.

Senior party leaders demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and a swift probe into the incident.