Armed robbers loot Rs 50 lakh cash from SBI branch in Surat

In a daylight heist, a gang of armed robbers targeted a branch of State Bank of India (SBI) in Gujarat's Surat city on Monday, looting Rs 50 lakh in cash after threatening the staff and customers at gunpoint, police said. The gang of five reportedly disabled the alarm system of the bank and snatched mobile phones from both employees and customers to prevent them from alerting the authorities, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Alok Kumar said. The robbery took place at the SBI's branch in the Varachha area of the city, he said. ''Preliminary information suggests that approximately Rs 50 lakh in cash was looted, specifically funds held by the cashier and the cash box brought by the CMS cash-deposit vehicle. We are currently verifying the exact amount,'' the official told reporters. Kumar said the CCTV footage has revealed the presence of five accused, but more persons might be involved. ''We are actively investigating the matter. Separate teams from the Crime Branch and Zone 1 have been deployed to work on this case. The accused appear to be Hindi-speaking individuals. They used a pistol-like weapon to intimidate and threaten the victims,'' he said.

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