Indian journalist shot dead in Bangalore

Prominent Indian journalist Gauri Lankesh, known for her critical views on Hindu nationalist politics, has been shot and killed in the south-western state of Karnataka.

"Lankesh was known as a fierce critic of Hindu nationalist organisations in her state and was convicted of defamation last year for a piece accusing members of the Bharatiya Janata party of theft," The Guardian reports.

"At least three suspects were involved and Lankesh was found dead on her verandah around 8pm with bullet wounds to her head and chest," the Hindustan Times says.

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Her killing is the latest in a string of attacks on outspoken secularists in India, and comes amid fears that religiously motivated violence is on the rise.

A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists says that 27 journalists have been killed in India since 1992, and the group is investigating a further 25 deaths for links to the victim's work.

"The attack on the select writers is obviously happening because they are able to mould public opinion... there is a pattern in the way assailants come on motorbikes, kill, and vanish," writer K Marulasiddappa told the BBC.