Despite the bank's proximity to the police station, the robbers managed to escape without any resistance, raising serious questions about the security protocols of banking institutions in the region
Bhubaneswar: In a scene reminiscent of a bank heist movie, armed robbers made off with lakhs of rupees from a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The assailants brutally assaulted bank officials before fleeing with the cash.
The daring daylight robbery occurred on Thursday at the SBI branch in Bahalda, located just 200 meters from the local police station. At around 11 am, five masked men stormed into the busy branch, brandishing firearms and executing the heist with chilling precision.
The robbers terrorised customers and violently attacked bank employees, completing their operation within a swift 30 minutes. The branch manager and several staff members sustained injuries from the assault, while customers were left shaken by the harrowing ordeal.
Despite the bank's proximity to the police station, the robbers managed to escape without any resistance, raising serious questions about the security protocols of banking institutions in the region.
Authorities have launched an intensive investigation to apprehend the culprits. A police spokesperson assured the public, stating, “We are utilising every resource at our disposal to ensure these criminals are brought to justice.”
Investigators are currently collecting witness statements and analysing security footage to gather leads on the suspects. The police have also deployed special teams to trace the getaway route and identify possible hideouts. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the adequacy of security measures in financial institutions across the region.
Local residents expressed their shock and fear over the brazen attack, demanding stronger security at banks. Meanwhile, the SBI branch remained closed for the day as authorities assessed the extent of the losses and reinforced safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
