The security personnel could not open fire on Naxals in view of the safety of villagers. (Representational Image)

A police jawan was injured in an attack by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place late Wednesday evening at a weekly market in Orchha village, located around 350 km from the capital Raipur, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI.

A team of the District Force was deployed to ensure security at the village market.

When the patrolling team was withdrawing from the spot after the market closed, some Naxals dressed as villagers suddenly attacked head constable Ramprasad Bhagat with an axe and robbed his Insas rifle, Garg said.

Before the other policeman could understand the situation, the rebels fled the spot, he said.

The security personnel could not open fire on Naxals in view of the safety of villagers present in a large number at the market, the official said.

Police teams have launched a search operation in the area to trace the attackers, he said.

The injured policeman was admitted to a local hospital where his condition was reported to be out of danger, he said.