Gas agency worker fights armed robbers

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 20

Worker of a gas agency bravely fought armed robbers near a bank at the Sector 32 market and foiled their attempt to loot Rs 4 lakh from him on Tuesday evening. The worker snatched a revolver from the robbers and forced them to flee the spot.

The incident occurred at 4.30 pm in the busy market. Following the incident, Additional DCP Rajvir Singh Boparai reached the spot and started investigation.

Boparai said Amanat Ansari, employee of gas agency Avtar Flame Centre on Chandigarh Road, had come to deposit Rs 4 lakh in the private bank. “The moment he parked his scooter outside the bank, two armed men on a bike arrived there. The man riding pillion tried to snatch the bag containing cash from Amanat. Amanat did not lose grip on the bag and bravely fought the robbers. When one of the robbers pointed a .32-bore revolver at Amanat, the latter snatched the weapon,” said the ADCP.

In the melee, the cash bag fell on the ground and Rs 4 lakh scattered on the road. Several onlookers standing nearby did not dare to intervene, said Rajvir. However, one of them later tried to stop the robbers’ bike while they were fleeing.

The weapon snatched by the gas agency employee had four bullets in the chamber. “Made in USA” was inscribed on the weapon. The motorcycle had a temporary number plate.

The incident could not be captured by any of the CCTV cameras installed nearby, as these cover only the entrance of the buildings, said Rajvir.

“The moment the robbers tried to snatch the cash bag, I scuffled with them and did not lose my grip on the bag. When the robbers pointed a revolver at me, I did not fear, rather I snatched the weapon. Nobody from the public came to my help while I was scuffling with the robbers. Although I have saved the cash from being looted, I would have been happy had I nabbed the robbers,” said Amanant.