Gunmen shot journalist Tongam Rina, 34, of the Arunachal Times from close range when she was entering her office at about 6.15 PM, police said.
Rina is an associate editor with the daily, which is the first English newspaper of the state and is owned by former chief minister Gegong Apang.
"Her backbone and intestines were affected by the bullet. There was profuse internal bleeding. However, she is now out of danger," Director of Health Services Kartik Nishing said.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki visited the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital where she is undergoing an operation.
Condemning the attack, he extended all possible help for Rina and said that she would be shifted to Guwahati if necessary.
The chief minister has also convened a high-level security meeting tomorrow. Security has been intensified and all forces have been alerted. Checkposts have been installed at all vulnerable points in the capital complex to catch the culprits, police said.
Arunachal Press Club and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists have condemned the attack and decided to keep half-page of the newspapers blank tomorrow as a mark of protest, sources said.