A series of daring ATM robberies using industrial gas cutters has sent shockwaves through Bihar, putting the state police on high alert. In a span of just one month, thieves have targeted at least seven State Bank of India (SBI) automated teller machines across six districts, making off with a staggering sum of approximately Rs 1.54 crore in cash.
Identical Pattern Points to Organised Gang
The repeated and identical modus operandi across different districts has led investigators to believe a single, well-organised criminal network is behind the attacks. This has prompted an intensified multi-state investigation, with clues now pointing towards a gang suspected to be operating from Haryana.
The latest incidents in this alarming chain occurred on December 18 in West Champaran's Bettiah, where two SBI ATMs were looted. In both cases, the thieves used gas cutters to break open the machines. Police noted striking similarities in all the thefts: the gang exclusively targeted SBI ATMs, particularly those that had been recently replenished with cash and lacked security guards.
Police Launch Nationwide Manhunt
Taking serious note of the crimes, the Bettiah police administration has constituted eight special teams to crack the cases. These teams are currently conducting raids in various parts of the country based on crucial leads.
DIG of Champaran range, Hari Kishore Rai, provided details on Sunday. He stated that Rs 14 lakh was stolen from the two ATMs in Bettiah's Nautan and Town police station areas. "Clues from CCTV cameras and technical investigations revealed some crucial leads," Rai said. A review of ATM thefts in other Bihar districts uncovered common tactics.
The thieves consistently disabled or destroyed CCTV cameras inside the ATMs before executing the thefts. Furthermore, the same type of vehicle was identified in all the incidents.
Breakthrough from West Bengal and Haryana Link
The investigation gained significant momentum following a related development in West Bengal. Police there recently arrested members of an ATM theft gang involved in similar crimes. A Bettiah police team travelled to West Bengal to interrogate the arrested suspects.
This questioning yielded key information. Further verification suggested that the gang is led by a single mastermind who is a resident of Haryana, with some members also hailing from Rajasthan.
According to police findings, this organised gang has trained several groups of young operatives. These groups are then deployed to carry out ATM cash thefts in different states, including Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal. Investigators have also received inputs that the gang recruits local youths as spotters to provide logistical support and intelligence on target locations.
The brazen attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in ATM security, especially in areas without round-the-clock guards. The Bihar Police's coordinated, multi-state effort aims to dismantle this network and prevent further financial losses.
