By Ratnakar Dash
Malkangiri (Orissa): At least one Central Police Reserve Force man and a Maoist were killed and five injured when the extremists attacked security personnel in MV-79 area of this tribal-dominated district on Sunday afternoon.

The injured were four CRPF jawans and a member of the public. A woman naxalite was arrested and a hand grenade was recovered from her possession, police said.

The incident took place around 2-40 pm, when the Maoists suddenly opened fire at the CRPF men at the weekly bazaar in MV-79 locality, 70 km away from the district headquarters town of Malkangiri.

According to the police, the extremists who surrounded the bazaar from all sides attacked the CRPF men when they had gone for their usual duty of maintaining law and order.

The people and shopkeepers ran for cover when the security men retaliated promptly. The exchange of fire between the two sides continued for nearly one hour with the extremists contining their attack from inside the nearby jungle.

One of the extremist, who took away an AK-47 rifle from the CRPF jawan who was killed on the spot, was shot dead by the security personnel. The rifle was recovered.

The remaining extremists went inside the forests when additional forces were rushed to the spot immediately.

Senior police officials have reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

The injured persons were being brought to the government hospital at Malkangiri town.

It is for the first time that the Maoists attacked the security personnel in broad daylight in Malkangiri. The district has been witnessing frequent naxalite attacks in the recent months.

Security was beefed up in the area soon after the incident. Combing operation had started to nab the naxalites, police said.