Budgam, Mar 24 KNT: Unknown gunmen on Wednesday barged into a branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in Chandpora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam and looted cash after firing shots inside the premises, sources said.
The incident created panic among employees and customers present inside the bank at the time of the robbery.
Sources said at least five armed men entered the Chandpora branch and fired several shots at the wall, apparently to intimidate staff and customers.
The robbery has raised fresh concerns about security at bank branches after multiple similar incidents were reported in the Valley in recent weeks.
During the incident, the gunmen allegedly overpowered the bank’s security guard and snatched his 12-bore rifle before fleeing from the spot with the looted cash.
The security guard has been identified as Abdul Rashid Sofi, a resident of Sanoor Kalipora.
This is the third reported bank robbery incident in Kashmir Valley this month.
Earlier, armed men looted cash from branches of Jammu and Kashmir Grameen Bank in Kunzar area of Baramulla district and Panzinara area on the outskirts of Srinagar.
A senior police official confirmed the robbery and said that details regarding the amount of cash looted and the circumstances of the incident are being ascertained.
Police have initiated further investigation into the robbery and efforts are underway to identify and trace the gunmen involved. [KNT]
