Patna, Feb 23 (IANS) A man was killed by a stray bullet in Bihar's Gaya district during a five-hour gun battle between Maoists and police, police said Sunday.

The fighting erupted after nearly 100 armed Maoists attacked a police station near Grand Trunk Road in Gaya Saturday night.

"A bullet hit a man in his vehicle when he was driving through the area," a police official said.

The Maoists reportedly targeted the police station to loot arms and ammunition. But their attempt was foiled as police fought back and more security forces reached the spot within two hours.