A group of militants on Tuesday attacked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Chandrakant Sharma at a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. Chandrakant Sharma's personal security officer was shot dead in the incident while the local RSS leader was injured, police said.

Officials said the suspected militants barged into the hospital and snatched the PSO's weapon. They attempted to fire at the RSS leader. In the ensuing scuffle, the bodyguard was shot dead while the RSS leader received minor injuries.

Senior police officials have rushed to the scene, they said.

A brief exchange of fire also took place between militants and security forces in Tral area of South Kashmir's Pulwama district on Tuesday.