A policeman on duty was killed and a policewoman seriously injured when suspected Maoists triggered a blast in a bustling market place here on Friday afternoon, a police official said.
The incident occurred when the two were on security duty in Kotgul village of Kurkheda region as the weekly market was in full swing with participation of hundreds of tribals and traders from surrounding areas.
Suddenly, an improvised explosive device (IED) triggered off by Maoists exploded, seriously injuring the two security officials, Suresh Gawde and Sonal Khevale, standing close by.
The injured police personnel were airlifted to Nagpur for treatment, but Gawde succumbed while undergoing treatment in the hospital, and Khevale's condition is reported to be stable.
Gawde will be accorded a funeral with full state honours in the presence of top police and civil officials on Saturday, the official said.
--IANS
qn/nir/bg