Lucknow, Oct 15 (IANS): In the second such incident in the last three days in western Uttar Pradesh, unidentified assailants fired at a policeman and a home guard, and escaped with their service weapons, police said Saturday. While the policeman died, the home guard is battling for his life at a hospital.

Police constable Balbeer Singh and home guard Intezar were shot at by three-four men in Behat town of Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district late Friday.

"Balbeer and Intezar were attacked while patrolling around 11.30 p.m. They were first brutally assaulted with blunt objects and later fired upon by the assailants, who had their faces covered," police Inspector M.P. Ashok told reporters in Saharanpur, some 500 km from Lucknow.

"While Balbeer succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, Intezar was admitted with multiple bullet injuries. His condition is stated to be extremely serious," he added.

Earlier, assailants in Meerut Wednesday fired upon two policemen, killing one, and fled with their service rifles.