Mumbai, Oct 29 (IANS): A Congress leader was shot dead and her grandson injured in an attack here Saturday evening, police said.

The victim, Rani Karotia, 53, was shot by a youth, identified as Akhtar, near her residence in Gajanand Colony, Shastri Nagar area of the congested Dharavi area, around 5 p.m.

When her grandson, Krishna M. Karotia, 18, attempted to save her, the assailant shot him in the shoulder.

The motive behind the attack is still not clear, but police recovered a pistol and a sword from Akhtar, police said.

The injured duo was taken to Sion Hospital where Rani - the local Congress ward president - succumbed soon afterwards.

Krishna who sustained a bullet injury on the shoulder is recuperating and his condition is reported to be stable.

Police said that after the attack, the assailant Akhtar shot himself and he was admitted to the same hospital in a serious condition.

Though some local television channels claimed he had also succumbed to his injuries, police and hospital authorities refused to confirm the development.