Ranchi: Three persons, including one policeman, were killed and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured when Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) activists attacked a police party with landmine and bullets in Jharkhand's Giridih district on September 6.

Director General of Police R R Prasad said an Advance Police Team was sent to check the route to Sevatand village where former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi was scheduled to address a function.

As the securitymen approached Lokahi village in Tisri block they encountered landmine blasts followed by heavy firing from the ultras which left one policeman and two civilians dead.

The police returned fire and the encounter continued for over an hour.

Prasad said it was not yet clear whether the victims lost their lives due to ''bullets or landmine blast''.

Meanwhile, reports said Marandi had been escorted to his paternal house in the district and was safe.

PTI