The incident comes a day after a BJP MLA and four security personnel were killed in a Naxal attack in Dantewada district of neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

The blast took place at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of Gadchiroli when a team of election officials was heading for a polling booth, escorted by police and the 191st battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force, a senior police official said. "The CRPF jawan sustained serious injuries in the legs in the blast, and his condition was critical," the official said.

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was attached to a bicycle parked along the road passing through a market place, the official said. "A helicopter was sent to airlift the injured jawan," he said.

A high alert was sounded after the incident. "Police are already on high alert, but we are more cautious after the blast," another official said.

Additional forces have already been deployed in Naxal-affected areas. Senior police officers of the rank of Additional Director General are camping there, he said. "People should come out and vote without fear," he added

The incident comes a day after a BJP MLA and four security personnel were killed in a Naxal attack in Dantewada district of neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

The blast took place at Gatta Jambia village in Etapalli tehsil of Gadchiroli when a team of election officials was heading for a polling booth, escorted by police and the 191st battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force, a senior police official said. "The CRPF jawan sustained serious injuries in the legs in the blast, and his condition was critical," the official said.

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was attached to a bicycle parked along the road passing through a market place, the official said. "A helicopter was sent to airlift the injured jawan," he said.

A high alert was sounded after the incident. "Police are already on high alert, but we are more cautious after the blast," another official said.

Additional forces have already been deployed in Naxal-affected areas. Senior police officers of the rank of Additional Director General are camping there, he said. "People should come out and vote without fear," he added