Robbers fire at PNB cash van carrying ₹95 lakh
Guard counters attack; around 20 rounds fired from both sides
Few unidentified car and bike-borne armed robbers opened fire at a Punjab National Bank (PNB)’s van, carrying ₹95 lakh cash, near Bir Sahib village, 25 km from the district headquarters, on Monday.
However, the loot bid remained unsuccessful because of the van’s guard,Sulakhan Singh, 48, who countered the fire, forcing the robbers to leave the spot empty-handed. As per information, around 20 rounds were fired from both sides.
After getting the information, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Darshan Singh Mann reached the spot with a police team and started the investigation. Bank employee Vijay Kumar, 30,who was also in the van, said the van (CH-01-TA-1516) was carrying ₹95 lakh cash.
Van driver Satish Kumar,35, said, “We were on our way from Amritsar to transfer cash in a bank at Bir Baba Budha Sahib.”
“When we reached near Bir Sahib village, a Vitara Brezza car and a bike overtook us and started firing indiscriminately at the van. I tried to reverse the vehicle but it went off the road,” Kumar said. He said, “Guard Sulakhan Singh is an ex-serviceman. He countered the attack and shot at the robbers.”
The exchange of fire continued for few minutes and the robbers fled from the spot, the van driver said. Few shots hit the van. But we escaped unhurt, he said. The miscreants were from five to six in number. A case has been registered under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery) of the Indian Penal Code and 25-27-54-59 of the Arms Act , the police said.