Peshawar: Robbers broke into a National Bank branch on the eve of Eid ul Fitr, taking advantage of weak overnight security arrangements to steal cash and valuables worth over Rs210 million, police officials said on Saturday.
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The incident took place late Friday night at a branch located on Kohat Road. According to police, the suspects entered the premises from an open area at the back of the building. Using cutters and other tools, they forced their way inside and targeted the bank’s lockers.
Authorities revealed that the absence of a night security guard under a “no security shift policy” allowed the robbers to operate without interruption. The suspects managed to take Rs1.37 million in cash from the registers. In addition, they broke open safety lockers and stole approximately 400 tolas of gold, valued at around Rs210 million.
Investigators said the robbers also used a gas cylinder to cut through steel barriers, indicating a well-planned and technically equipped operation.
Police spokesperson Alam Khan confirmed that a special investigation team has been formed. Raids are currently underway in multiple districts, including Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, and the federal capital, Islamabad, to track down those involved.
Officials are also examining CCTV footage from nearby buildings and the city’s Safe City surveillance system to identify suspects and trace their movements before and after the robbery.
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The incident marks the second major bank-related crime in the city within two weeks. Earlier this month, police foiled a robbery attempt at a private bank in the Pirbala area, where an exchange of fire left three officers injured, one of whom later succumbed to injuries.
The latest heist has once again raised serious concerns about banking security protocols in the region.