Kumar’s friends, who panicked over the sudden attack, tried to catch hold of the assailant, but he managed to escape. Police were on the lookout for the killer.

When the patrolling team was cordoning off the area, a Bastar Fighters jawan inadvertently stepped on the pressure IED, which exploded and left him injured, the senior police official said.

Khatoli Circle Officer Ramashish Yadav said a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint filed by the man’s sister, Minakshi.