Ukhrul, Manipur – In a daring daylight robbery, masked criminals pulled off the largest bank heist in the history of Manipur, making away with Rs 18.85 crore from a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Ukhrul district, located 80 kilometers from the state capital, Imphal.
The robbery took place around noon on Friday when a group of armed, masked miscreants stormed the bank and held the employees hostage. With the employees under their control, the criminals forced the staff to open the vaults and proceeded to loot a staggering Rs 18.85 crore.
The brazen act sent shockwaves through the bank, causing widespread panic among the employees. Upon receiving the distress call, the police quickly arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation.
At the time of the heist, there were around 11 employees inside the bank. Surprisingly, the masked criminals did not harm any of the staff members during the robbery.
According to police estimates, around five individuals were involved in the crime. They had carefully covered their faces with cloths to conceal their identities before entering the bank. Additionally, no attempts were made to alert the police in advance.
A manhunt has been launched by the police to apprehend the culprits. Authorities are currently reviewing all available evidence, including CCTV footage, to aid in their investigation.
This daring heist has raised significant concerns regarding the security measures at banks across Manipur. The incident highlights the urgent need for banks to enhance their security protocols to prevent such brazen robberies in the future.
Some speculate that the robbery could be a sign of growing terrorism in the region, although police have yet to confirm any links to terrorist groups.
The robbery has also caused widespread fear among the residents of Manipur, who are now concerned that similar incidents could happen again in the future.
