Maoists raid Orissa jail, kill two policemen

Maoists guerrillas in Orissa shot dead two policemen and took hostage at least three government officials.

Maoists guerrillas in Orissa shot dead two policemen and took hostage at least three government officials in attacks on a police station, a police camp and a bank early on Friday.

"About hundred Maoists came to R Udayagiri town in Gaapati district at about 5 am and opened fire on the police station, a police camp and a bank," a state police control room official said.

HT Image

The Maoists left after over an hour-long gunbattle with police. At least two policemen died and three sustained injuries, police said.

"The Maoists also took hostage three government officials -- a police officer, the local Tehsildar (a junior level district official) and the jail superintendent of the R Udayagiri jail," he said.

Top district police officials rushed to the spot, while a manhunt was launched to nab the guerrillas.