Bhubaneswar: A daring attempt to loot Rs 38 lakh from a van was thwarted by a courageous security guard in Keonjhar’s Joda area on Tuesday.
According to sources, the CMS Company’s cash van, carrying Rs 38 lakh from the Bank of India and IndusInd Bank, was on its way to replenish an ATM when three masked miscreants came in a numberless bike and intercepted the vehicle on Service Road near Flyover’s 102 Number Pillar around 3 pm.
The robbers, armed with pistols, iron rods, and knives, attacked the security guard identified as Balaram Prusty, who fought back, disarming one of the attackers and retrieving the stolen pistol. The miscreants fled the scene, leaving behind their bike.
Balaram was severely injured in the scuffle and was rushed to the Tata Steel Hospital in Joda.
According to an eyewitness, the miscreants, armed with pistols, iron rods, and knives, attacked Balaram, who single-handedly fought off the assailants. Despite being severely injured, Balaram managed to disarm one of the attackers and made the miscreants leave the place.
Upon being informed, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) PR Chhotray rushed to the spot and said, “We suspect a large-scale gang involvement in the planned heist.”
Meanwhile, the bravery displayed by Balaram has been praised by locals.
