KOHAT: Masked men looted Rs1.5 million in broad daylight from a branch of the National Bank in KDA Town here on Tuesday.

DIG Kohat division Tayyab Hafez Cheema and district police officer Javed Iqbal along with other officials reached the crime scene.

SP operations Raza Khan said a gang comprising hardened criminals from Kurram tribal district and Lachi tehsil of Kohat might be behind the robbery.

He apprehended that the robbers might have an inside connection.

Hayat Mehsud, vice-president of the bank’s regional branch, told Dawn on telephone that four masked men entered the bank at 12.06pm, and after overpowering the guards, went straight to the cash counter and asked the cashier to hand over the money. One of the robbers stood outside.

He, however, said all the bank staff remained safe, adding the robbers did not ask for opening the strong room. He said it was a small branch where mostly the residents of KDA Town deposited their cash.

DSP Ijaz Ali Khan said according to the branch manager the robbers entered the bank covering their faces and holding pistols.

One of the bank guards, Rehmat Ali, was hit in the head by a robber when he put up some resistance.

He said an FIR had been registered on the complaint of the bank manager.

“The town has been completely sealed and blockades erected at the entry and exit point s of the city. Operations are going on to trace the robbers,” DSP Ali said.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020