Bhubaneswar: A group of armed robbers allegedly looted around Rs 2.70 lakh from five businessmen at gunpoint near Baghiaberna forest road under Talsara police limits in Sundargarh district on Thursday.
The victims have been identified as Md. Manu, Md. Ismail, Md. Sajid, Rashid Qureshi, and Zahid Qureshi — all residents of Rourkela. The group was reportedly en route to Bandega weekly market to purchase goats when the incident occurred.
According to sources, the businessmen were traveling in a car when they were forced to slow down near a stretch of forest road. At that moment, six armed robbers on motorcycles intercepted the vehicle, pointed guns at them, physically assaulted the traders, and fled the spot after looting cash worth Rs 2.70 lakh.
The victims later approached Talsara police station and lodged a formal complaint. Acting on the report, police have initiated a probe and launched a manhunt to nab the robbers.
Further investigation is underway.