MANSEHRA, Sept 7: At least six armed men robbed over Rs1.1 million from the National Savings Centre on the Shinkiari Road on Tuesday morning by holding the staff and dozens of account holders hostage for over 15 minutes.

The dacoits also took away prize bonds, blank savings certificates, payment vouchers and other documents and a shotgun of a security guard. They escaped in a car parked on the Shinkiari Road.

According to Branch Manager Kamran Khan, four of the armed men overpowered security guard Kala Khan, beat him and snatched his shotgun, while their two accomplices guarded the gate.

He said dozens of account holders, including women, were present in the branch at the time. They were told to stand in silence at gunpoint. The manager said the closing balance of the branch on Sept 6 was Rs1.033 million.

He said the dacoits put the money, prize bonds and other documents in a bag and fled after locking the gate from outside. The gate was later opened after breaking the rear door of the branch. He said the dacoits were speaking Pushto, Punjabi and Hindko.

The staff of the branch informed the police of the incident in writing in the afternoon. According to police sources, the dacoits fled in a black Mark-II car No.4131.

The deputy superintendent of police, headquarters, Mumtaz Zarin, said a black car had been found at a deserted place near Khawari but its use in the offence had not been proved. Police have taken the security guard into custody for interrogation.