Mumbai, Apr 1 (IANS): In a broad daylight attack, a senior journalist working with the Daily News & Analysis (DNA) newspaper and a friend were seriously injured at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai on Friday, police said.

According to Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, DNA reporter Sudhir Suryawanshi and friend Santosh Fatate were on some personal work when they were waylaid by four or five persons.

First the attackers punctured two tyres of Fatate's car in which they travelled from Panvel.

Not suspecting anything amiss, they went to look for a tyre repair shop. The attackers followed them on motorcycles and brutally attacked both with sticks and bats before speeding off from the spot, the officer added.

While Suryawanshi sustained injuries and a fracture on his arms, Fatate also sustained injuries on his body. Both have been admitted to the Medicity Hospital at Kharghar. Their condition is stable, said Nagrale.

The police have launched a manhunt for the attackers who had covered their faces. Witnesses claimed the motorcycles had no number plates.

Nagrale said the two lived in a housing complex in Panvel and suspect the attack may be connected to a society election last month.

The incident has been widely condemned by several media organizations including the Press Club of Mumbai.

Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil assured stern action in the matter while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the police to track down the attackers.