SARGODHA, June 22: Four armed dacoits, who escaped after injuring the gunman and looting Rs3.5 million from UBL’s Satellite Town branch, were arrested after a brief shootout here on Wednesday.

DPO Muhammad Naeem Khan told reporters that armed men had entered the bank and held hostage gunman Shahadat Ali and all those present there. Later, they snatched the gun from the guard, scooped Rs3.5 million in cash, snatched keys of the car (619-LHY) from the manager and decamped with the booty.

Meanwhile, the bank manager informed the rescue 15 and the DPO. At this, the city and traffic police were alerted immediately. Seeing dacoits, the traffic police intercepted them in front of the DHQ Hospital, but they opened fire on law enforcers. Later, they got off the car and tried to flee on foot.

The policemen also returned the fire, injuring two fleeing dacoits, Bahadur Khan and Taj Gulab. The police arrested the injured dacoits and recovered looted money from them, but their two accomplices managed to escape. After a brief chase, the police also arrested their accomplices. The injured dacoits were admitted to hospital.

The DPO said that all the arrested accused hailed from the NWFP and they used to strike all across the country.

He said three of them were identified as Bahadur Khan of tribal area, Taj Gulab of Mardan and Muhammad Khan of Swat.

Meanwhile, requesting anonymity, a bank official claimed that six dacoits entered the bank.