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.
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.