Bhubaneswar: In what could be the swiftest and quickest mission ever by the Odisha Police, three looters escaping after looting an ATM Cash vehicle were nabbed within 45 minutes. The incident occurred in Athagarh area when the looters took over the ATM Cash vehicle on gun point and decamped with about Rs.1.29 Crore rupees.
The looters overpowered the van security personnel, took away the fire arms and forced the driver to proceed towards Dhenkanal and on the way abandoned the Van after decamping with the money in another vehicle. Athagarh police, which swung into action immediately and alerted all neighboring police stations and a nakabandi was made in all connecting routes.
A police party of the Dhenkanal chased the miscreants at Gengutia and the looters were intercepted and overpowered with the help of local people. Three of the armed miscreants were caught with the loot money amounting to Rs 1.05 Crore and the fully loaded firearms. But one of the looters absconded with a cash bag. A massive manhunt has been launched to nab the escapee. The criminals were planning to loot the ATM cash vehicle for the last few days but the swift action by the Cuttack and Dhenkanal police could thwart that.
DGP Abhay has appreciated and congratulated the coordinated effort between the different police districts in the action and the police personnel including the driver and common people for their prompt action. They will be formally felicitated by the department.