Around 5:15 pm, six of the seven men were allowed to enter the Cantt branch of the National Bank of Pakistan after working hours as they ‘wanted to drink water’. As they went inside the bank, they took out their pistols and took everyone present in the bank hostage.
According to initial reports, bank manager Mushtaq Bhutto was among the hostages, but DPO Sukkur Aitzaz Goraya claims Bhutto was not present. Bank officials had also said earlier that Rs35 million was stolen, but Goraya clarified that the exact amount was Rs14.95 million.
“There are three security guards who are deployed outside the bank and none of them were present,” explained the DPO. One did not come to work, one had gone to get tea and one had gone to the rest room.
After taking everyone hostage, the men moved to the cashier and told the staff to open the safe room. “There were Rs5 million in the cashier but they did not even touch that money,” the very surprised DPO told The Express Tribune. “They made their way to the safe where there were three bags each with Rs10 million.” The robbers took one bag that was full, picked up a second that was half full and escaped from the back by 5:35 pm.
DPO Goraya reached the scene and arrested two security guards. “I suspect it is an inside job as the security guards were not there.” The bank staff said that the men had spoken in Urdu and not Sindhi. Four of them were dressed in jeans while the other two wore shalwar kameez. “The local population here does not wear jeans at all. So they were definitely outsiders,” said Goraya.
The robbery has proven to be a serious security breach as the army is completely responsible for the inner and outer security of the cantonment. Security personnel in Pannu Aqil are shocked that an armed robbery has taken place in Pakistan’s largest army cantonment, officials revealed. “Even policeman are thoroughly checked before they enter the Cantt area,” they said.
A room called the Quarter Guards is located close to the security check post in the Cantt area. “These quarters store arms and other important security equipment for the army guards,” they said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2010.
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