Private firm’s collection agent shot at, robbed

LUCKNOW: The collection agent of an agricultural product firm was robbed after being shot at by two motorcycle-borne assailants in crowded Qaiserbagh locality on Wednesday. The assailants fled after snatching the agent’s bag containing cash. The agent, who suffered bullet wound in lower abdomen, is undergoing treatment in KGMU’s trauma centre. His condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

The police said no major amount was robbed, as the collection agent had only ` 2,000 in his bag. CO Qaiserbagh, Hridyesh Katheria said most of the customers of the firm paid through cheques, so the agent was not carrying much cash. The assailants probably got a tip-off that he had a large amount with him, so they targeted him.

The CO said the incident took place when the agent, Mohd Israr, 22, was returning to his office in Hazratganj at around 4.45 pm. He said the two assailants intercepted his motorcycle when he reached near supermarket crossing on BN Road, opened fire at close range and tried to snatch the bag. The duo fled with the bag when the agent fell on the road after suffering bullet wound.

Initial probe suggested that the assailants were wrongly tipped off about the cash that the agent carried and followed him from Qaiserbagh crossing where he collected some cash from his client. Efforts were on to trace the assailants after registering an FIR in the matter, the CO said.