ALLAHABAD: A gang of six masked robbers looted Rs 5 lakh from Gramin Shakha of Bank of Baroda at Jagesharganj in Pratapgarh district after taking staff and customers hostage at gun point on Friday. The robbers also thrashed the cashier of the bank severely and left him unconscious when de declined to hand over the keys of the locker.Senior police officials, including SP (City), along with forces of four police stations and forensic experts rushed to the spot and carried out investigations.SP (City) Pratapgarh, Purnendu Singh said, “A gang of six armed robbers came to the bank on two mobikes — white and blue coloured. They entered the bank at around 11:45 am and escaped after looting the cash within 40 minutes.”“Apart from the bank staff, as many as 35 customers were inside the bank when the robbers struck. However, no security guard was on duty. The robbers, who were carrying country-made pistols, damaged two CCTV sets before fleeing,” he added.“We have obtained some CCTV footage and sought the assistance of police from neighbouring districts. As many as six police teams have been constituted to crack the robbery. A series of raids have been carried out in Antoo and adjoining areas,” he added.Eyewitnesses said while two of the robbers stationed themselves at the main gate, the others held the bank staff and customers captive at gun point.All of them had covered their faces expect eyes and were talking in local dialect. They threatened to open fire if anyone dared to raise alarm.“The robbers were well acquainted with the layout of the bank as well as the timing of cash distribution. It seems they had carried out recee of the bank,” said Antoo police under whose jurisdiction the area comes.

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