ATM loot bid foiled

JAMMU: An attempt by a thief to loot cash from an unguarded ATM was thwarted by the police in Sainik Colony area.

While the culprit managed to escape, he left behind more than Rs 17 lakh in cash that was taken out from the ATM after breaking it open, officials said Sunday.

According to police, the thief attracted the attention of police patrolling the Sainik Colony locality on the outskirts of Jammu while attempting to break open the ATM.

The police party comprising head constable Satish Kumar and selection grade constable Murad Ali heard some noise from a UCO bank ATM at around 2.45 am last night, Aslam said.

The policemen rushed towards the ATM but the thief who had taken out all the cash amounting to Rs 17,53,700 fled the scene, he added.

A case was registered and efforts were on to identify the culprit and bring him to book, he said.

The SP City South, Vinay Sharma confirmed that the entire amount has been saved with the quick action of patrolling party from Sainik Colony police post headed by Sub-Inspector Jai Pal Singh, while the burglars are still at large, a manhunt to nab them is still on.

In the morning the bank officials also visited the spot and tallied the amount seized from the spot with the amount figured in the books inside the ATM.

An FIR under section 511 RPC has been registered in this incident.