Paradip, Sept. 3: A fisherman has achieved the feat of fighting off an attack from a 10-ft-long estuarine crocodile.

The man, Pranakrushna Naik, was fishing in a creek near Batighar village when he encountered the crocodile and fought it off.

The injured fisherman, who has recovered from the wounds inflicted on him by the animal, recalled the harrowing experience.

"The crocodile jumped out of the water body. I was spreading the net at the ghat. It was a sudden attack and I had no time to react. The crocodile pounced on me and dragged me into water. On the spur of the moment, I picked a stick floating in the water body.

"I started hitting the crocodile on its forehead and eye with the stick. The repeated blows on the animal saved me. After being hit repeatedly, the crocodile loosening its grip. My struggle with the reptile must have lasted for two minutes. After the animal retreated, I shouted for help. Local people rushed to the site to rescue me and admit me in a hospital," said Naik.

"Naik was fishing in a crocodile-infested creek near the Batighar protected forest areas. It's always a risky affair to try to fish in water bodies located in the protected forest areas, as these areas are an ideal habitat for crocodiles. He was attacked by a giant crocodile. However, he managed to survive after a struggle with the reptile," said Mahakalpada forest range officer Bijoy Kumar Parida.

"Though fishing activities in a protected forest are unlawful, we have decided not to register any case against the victim on humanitarian grounds. However, he is not entitled to monetary compensation as he has defied the law," said Parida.

Forest personnel said people are exposing themselves to crocodile attacks by venturing into crocodile-infested water bodies.