NEW DELHI, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least five cops died and three were injured in a road accident in India's eastern state of Odisha when a heavy vehicle collided head on with the vehicle they were in, early on Sunday, confirmed the local police.

According to the police, the accident happened in Odisha's Jharsuguda district in front of a local police station. The victims were returning from a wedding ceremony of one of their colleagues when the mishap occurred.

Those injured were admitted to a local hospital, where they were said to be battling for life. The heavy vehicle was loaded with stone-chips, said the police. ■