Quick police action thwarts armed robbery bid at finance company office in Odisha's Phulbani

Three armed assailants barged into a private finance company’s office in Odisha’s Phulbani on Wednesday and attempted to loot the place after attacking its employees before being overpowered by police.

According to sources, as many as three masked attackers entered the office near Phulbani Sahi Chhak under Phulbani Town police station limits, assaulted two employees, and fired blank shots while demanding money.

However, the loot bid was foiled after a police patrolling team arrived at the scene. Officers apprehended one of the armed robbers and seized a pistol before taking the accused into custody. Two others accompanying him managed to escape from the location.

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The injured employees were rushed to the Phulbani District Headquarters Hospital for treatment of injuries to the head, neck, and back.

“Three masked men broke into our office and began smashing a pistol to my head while demanding money. Two blank shots were fired as police tried to overpower them,” stated Linkan Mallik, one of the employees who was attacked.

He also added that the day’s collection of their office ranged close to Rs. 2 lakh and he suspected that there was no other motive behind the attack other than to loot the cash.

“We do not have enmity with anyone. The attackers must have followed us while we were returning after field collections,” said Srikant Pradhan, another victim employee.

The two employees also noted that the group likely did not carry any other weapon except for one pistol that was seized by the police. Additionally, they were not sure if the fleeing attackers took away the looted money or left it behind.

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Till the last reports, police are conducting further investigations to track down the absconding robbers but have not offered any comments.