Kalahandi/Bhadrak: Throwing an open challenge to police, miscreants burgled at least two ATM machines in separate incidents in Bhadrak and Kalahandi district in the state last night and hurled bombs to spread panic.
In the first incident which took place late in the night at Chari Chhak under Dharmagarh police limits in Kalahandi district, a group of vehicle-borne miscreants reached the India Overseas Bank (IOB) ATM and took away cash kept in it by using gas cutters.
The incident came to fore this morning after some customers reached the ATM unit to withdraw cash and found the machine damaged.
Later, bank staff and police officials rushed to the spot and started an investigation. The exact amount of cash looted from the ATM is being assessed.
In another incident which took place at Mato Bazar under Chandbali Police Station in Bhadrak district in the same night, a group bike-borne miscreants looted cash from a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM. While a police patrolling team approached them during the crime the looters hurled 6-8 bombs targeting the cops which hit the ATM unit and ransacked it.
An investigation is underway to nab the absconding burglars in the incident.
Ms Kalinga