Two constables of the local police were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by the activists of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on Friday, the police said.
The incident took place when a police party of seven was searching a vehicle in the Shahi Ghat area. The Maoists first triggered the IED blast then opened indiscriminate fire. As per the police, the Maoists also threw hand grenades at the cops from the top of a nearby hill.
When the CRPF personnel, who were deployed with the police, opened fire in retaliation, they escaped into the dense forest.
The injured include police constable Anjani Kumar who was shot in his chest and Upendra Singh was injured below his wait. Both of them were airlifted to Ranchi for better medical aid and are now out of danger.
SP Lohardaga Priyanka Meena said that prima facie it appears that the attack was a bid to snatch the weapons from the constables and run away.
Additional police forces and CRPF personnel have been deployed in the area and a search operation is underway.
