Two securitymen killed as Maoists attack Bihar polling station

Two security personnel - a policeman and a home guard - were killed as Maoists attacked a polling station in Bihar's Gaya district on Thursday as voting was underway in the first phase of general elections, police said.

Two security personnel - a policeman and a home guard - were killed as Maoists attacked a polling station in Bihar's Gaya district on Thursday as voting was underway in the first phase of general elections, police said. Voting has been suspended at the station.

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The rebels also looted a electronic voting machine (EVM) and four rifles.

Two women voters who were in the queue at the polling booth were injured in the attack and have been admitted to a local hospital.

More than a dozen armed Maoists attacked a polling station at Sindhpur under Bankebazaar police station in Gaya, about 130 km from Patna, killing the policeman and home guard. The area is regarded a stronghold of Maoists.

However, Gaya' superintendent of Police MR Naik only confirmed the death of the home guard. "We have rushed additional security forces to the area to launch combing operation against Maoists," he said.

The attack was the first reported incident of violence by Maoists during the polling for 13 of the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in the first phase of general elections amid shoot at sight orders for the police to prevent violence by Maoists and political musclemen, officials said.