A former Maoist, Md. Mister, had a close shave after two of his old acquaintances unsuccessfully fired and hurled a crude bomb on him on Monday night at a border area under Bisra police limits in Sundargarh district.
The assailants, Md. Sahid and Md. Abid, have been arrested, police said attributing the attack to past enmity.
Reports said Md. Mister was standing near a roadside shop at the Bisra check gate when, between 7.30 and 8 pm, the duo fired one round on him and then hurled a crude bomb but missed the target.
Investigation revealed that Md. Mister was engaged in extortion activities and acquitted in five Maoist-related cases in 2011.