IOB ATM, 2 SBI ATMs damaged in 2 separate places in Odisha

Bhadrak/Kalahandi: As many as three ATM kiosks- one Indian Overseas Bank ATM and two SBI ATMs, were damaged in three separate places in two districts of Odisha on Monday.

In an audacious robbery in Bhadrak, unidentified miscreants last night used bombs to loot cash from an SBI ATM located few metres away from the Moto police station in Chandbali area. Seeing a police patrolling vehicle approaching the ATM, the robbers also hurled bombs at the vehicle and decamped with cash. Though no police official was hurt in the attack, the ATM kiosk cabin was completely vandalized due to the bombing, informed sources.

Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation to nab the miscreants involved in the loot. The exact amount of cash looted is yet to be ascertained.

In a similar incident in Kalahandi district, thieves looted cash from an Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) ATM at Chari Chhak in Dharamgarh area late night yesterday. The miscreants allegedly used a gas cutter to break the ATM and looted cash.

However, another such loot attempt was foiled at Bastipada area in Kalahandi last night. A group of miscreants was trying to uproot the SBI ATM in the area when suddenly police rushed to the spot. Spotting the police vehicle, the miscreants stopped vandalizing the ATM and fled the spot, added sources.

Meanwhile, police sources are suspecting that the same gang was involved in both the loots while a probe is underway to nab the miscreants. Kalahandi SP Gavali Parag Harsad also reached the spot to initiate an investigation.