Mayurbhanj, March 21: A brutal attack in a busy marketplace claimed the life of a school warden and left a headmistress critically injured in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Friday.

The incident occurred at Gadadeulia Chhak under Baishinga police limits. According to reports, the headmistress, who was unwell, was returning after school hours along with the warden and had stopped near a medicine store close to a private school along the national highway.

At a distance of around 100 metres from the school, unidentified miscreants suddenly attacked them with sharp weapons. Both sustained severe injuries in the assault.

They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared the warden dead. The injured headmistress is currently undergoing treatment.

The deceased has been identified as Sanyasi Das (50) from Dhanapali under Manatri outpost in Badasahi police limits, while the injured headmistress is Kadambini Rout (70).

The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear. Police have initiated a probe and further investigation is underway.