Rs 40 lakh looted from GPO in Punjab

Jalandhar, Nov 6 (UNI) Four robbers looted Rs 40 lakh from the General Post Office (GPO) here after overpowering the lone security guard and another employee in the wee hours today.

Giving details of the incident SP (City) S K Kalia told mediapersons that the thieves only looted the cash which was lying in a trunk outside the strong room of the GPO. However they made no attempt to open the strong room where a large quantity of cash and gold ornaments were lying, he added.

Mr Kalia said that the incident took place around 0400 hours.

The robbers entered the post office without being noticed and when the security guard, Ashok Kumar heard some unusual sounds from inside one of the rooms inside the post office he went inside to inquire, the SP said.

The thieves over powered the security guard and tied him with a rope. Another employee of the GPO who was on night duty was also over powered and tied in similar fashion.

According to the SP, the robbers then broke open the locks of a trunk in which Rs 40 lakh was lying. After stuffing the cash in bags they fled from the scene, he added.

The robbery came to light at 0700 hours when another employee of the GPO entered the post office and noticed the security guard.

Thereafter senior GPO officials were informed who in turn informed the police.

N R Meena, Senior Superintendent of Posts revealed that a large quantity of gold and cash lying in the strong room was safe. The robbers however succeeded in breaking the box containing Rs 40 lakh.

The police has registered a case and launched an all out hunt to nab those involved in the robbery. The police has not ruled out the possiblity of inside involvement.

A team of finger print experts also visited the scene of the crime. However the police have got no vital clues so far.

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