High-tech burglary: Police groping in dark after burglars decamp with Rs 1.06 Crores from JK Bank

Kishtwar: Jammu and Kashmir police is groping in dark while investigating one of the biggest and high-tech burglaries where unidentified persons broke into Kishtwar branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited and decamped with Rs 1.06 Crores.
Though the high level investigation team headed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Kishtwar Dr Haseeb Mughal is burning mid night oil to solve the mystery behind the burglary, sources told the Bold Voice that no considerable breakthrough could be made, till now.
The investigation team has so far questioned all the bank officials and employees of the —Grand Place hotel, sources said that the burglars have not left much clue behind, thus making the job of the police more tougher.
The police is taking help of scientific experts of Jammu FSL and investigation was being held under the direct supervision of SP Kishtwar, a police officers known for his skills of investigation.
Official sources on the other hand claimed that the police has got some important clues and was hopeful of solving the case in next few days.
While the police claims that there is great suspicion about the involvement of some bank officials in the burglary, the residents of Kishtwar held a strong protest demonstration against the alleged torture and harassment of some bank officials by the police.
The Bank is situated in the heart of the town with local police station on one side at a distance of around 100 meters and a CRPF bunker on the other side. Official residence of some senior officers from the district administration is also situated on the opposite side of the branch. The building also houses some other offices, a hotel and shops.
Giving details, sources told The Bold Voice, that peon of the bank noticed locks of the main gate broken when he came to open the office, July 8. He immediately informed his superiors who rushed to the spot and informed the police.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot and seized the bank building and asked the staff members to remain away from the office till forensic experts reach the spot. A team of forensic experts were rushed to Kishtwar from Jammu to assist the police in investigation.
Insiders told this correspondent that two cans of patrol were found on the spot which clearly indicates that the burglars had intention to set the building on fire. The police also seized two iron rods, one hexa blade, two nylon ropes from the spot.
The investigation, conducted so far, clearly points out fingers at the involvement of some bank officials in the burglary, sources said adding the bank staff and manager of the hotel were detained by the police for questioning. They were released in the evening but their mobile phones were seized for scrutiny.
Police sources said that the burglars have reached the main hall of the bank after breaking the lock of main shutter. After disconnecting the CCTV cable, the burglars have detached the exhaust fan on the outer wall of the Chest. "The huge exhaust fan weigh around one quintal and has been very technically detached", sources said adding, "Two ropes have been used to lift the fan and it clear that more than three persons were involved". They said while the thieves have not touched the main locker, cash kept in a trunk has been stolen. "The initial calculation reveals that Rs 1.08 crores was kept in the trunk", they said adding, "The notes are in the denomination of Rs 20, Rs 50 and Rs 100 as the larger denomination notes were kept in the main locker". The involvement of some bank official is also clear from the fact that the thieves knew that new cash has arrived in the bank two days back and a huge cash was lying in the trunk.