Robbers steal cash, Rs210m worth of gold from National Bank branch in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Robbers broke into a National Bank branch on the eve of Eidul Fitr, making off with over one million rupees in cash and jewellery valued at Rs210 million after exploiting the absence of overnight security at the facility, police said.

The brazen heist took place on Friday night at a National Bank branch located on Kohat Road in Peshawar. According to police, the robbers gained entry to the premises from an open area at the back of the building, using cutters and other tools to break in.

Police officials revealed that no security guard was on duty at the time of the robbery due to what was described as a "no security shift policy at night." This allowed the culprits to operate unimpeded inside the bank.

Rs1.37 million in cash, 400 tolas of gold stolen

The robbers stole Rs1.37 million in cash from the registers, according to police. They also broke into safety lockers and made away with approximately 400 tolas of gold.

"They broke lockers and stole around 400 tolas of gold from safety lockers," a police official said, adding that a gas cylinder was also used to cut through steel.

The total value of the stolen jewellery was estimated at Rs210 million, police said.

Special investigation team formed

Peshawar police spokesperson Alam Khan said that a special investigation team has been formed to probe the robbery. He added that raids were being carried out in different districts as part of the investigation.

Police are also poring over CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas in an effort to identify the suspects and gather clues about how the heist was carried out.

The incident has raised serious questions about the security arrangements at the bank branch, particularly the absence of any overnight guard during one of the most significant holidays in the country. The robbers appeared to have taken advantage of the reduced security during the Eid holiday period to execute the robbery.

The use of gas cylinders and cutting tools suggests that the perpetrators came prepared and had prior knowledge of the bank's security vulnerabilities, including the lack of nighttime security personnel.

Authorities have launched an extensive operation to track down the suspects, with raids being conducted across multiple districts in the region. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.