Robbery at Axis Bank in Amritsar, Rs 11.5 lakh gone

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service 

Amritsar, December 12

Four persons, equipped with country-made pistols, robbed a branch of the Axis Bank at Saido Lahal village in Khujala falling under the Tarsikka police station in broad daylight here on Wednesday.  Before fleeing they  took away the digital video recorder of the CCTV cameras with them.

As per information, one of the accused entered the bank as customer. Later, three of his accomplices barged into the bank and took all the staff hostage. They reportedly decamped with Rs 11.54 lakh while the police authorities pegged the figure at Rs 10 lakh. They collected money from the cash counter and strong room. 

Senior police officials led by SSP Parampal Singh reached the spot and started investigations.  “The four accused came in an i20 car while their fifth accomplice was on a bike and keeping a watch outside the bank. He also conducted a recce of the bank, it is learnt,” said SSP. “We have some vital clues in the case and we hope to nab the suspects soon,” he added. 

Kashmir Singh, branch manager, said the two of the accused were of shorn hair, while two were wearing headgear. They entered the bank at around 1.50 pm. One of them started filing a voucher. Later, his three accomplices entered the bank and one of them pointed a pistol on the guard. They took the staff and customers hostage before fleeing the bank with cash.  Kashmir Singh said there was no rush of customers as there was holiday on account of  Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day. He said staff was shocked after the incident as it was for the first time that such an incident had occurred. The police have registered a case on the statement of branch manager Kashmir Singh.