Two CRPF jawans were on Monday seriously injured after being shot at by Maoists during a combing operation in the forests of West Midnapore district.

District SP Sunil Chowdhury told PTI that joint security forces were involved in a fierce gunbattle with the Maoists in Goaltore area's Metla forest since Sunday night during which RL Reddy and Bijoy Mahalakshmi were shot at in the morning.

The two jawans have been rushed to the district hospital in a critical condition, he said.

Police suspect that some Maoists have also been injured in the exchange of gun fire.