VISAKHAPATNAM : In a surprise attack, Maoists on Sunday morning fired on a CRPF contingent at a crowded weekly market at Sileru, some 200 km from here, killing a constable. A head constable and two tribal women were injured in the incident, the first against CRPF men by Maoists in the Naxalite-infested G.K. Veedhi mandal of the district on the Andhra-Orissa border.

A CRPF contingent is stationed at Sileru to protect the police station. At around 11 a.m., six CRPF men went to the weekly market to buy vegetables. Five Maoists, including two women, who lay in wait, caught them unawares by opening fire with 9 mm pistols.

AK 47 rifles snatched

P.K. Sharma, a constable, died on the spot. Burman, a head constable, reportedly engaged one of the Maoists in a scuffle trying to snatch the weapon from him. He was injured in the head and his AK 47 rifle was taken away. The Maoists also managed to snatch another AK 47 from the CRPF men. In the melee, the Maoists left behind a 9 mm pistol. An action team of Maoists is reportedly responsible for the attack.

In serious condition

Two tribal women suffered bullet injuries. One of them was identified as Korra Jammu. The trio, said to be in a serious condition, was admitted to local hospital. Efforts were under way to shift them to Visakhapatnam. The CRPF men later rounded up some locals, took them to the station and let them off later, it was learnt.