In a late-night burglary, unidentified thieves cut open an ATM of a public sector bank in Bhiwani Rohilla village of Hisar district and fled with Rs 6.6 lakh cash. The incident came to light on Sunday morning, raising concerns over the security of standalone ATMs in rural areas.
Details of the Incident
Police said the ATM on the Balsamand-Bhadra Road was operational till Saturday evening. After 2 am, the burglars allegedly broke into the kiosk, cut open the machine and decamped with the entire cash stock of Rs 6,67,400.
Investigation Underway
After being alerted by bank officials, a police team rushed to the spot and launched an investigation. Forensic experts were also called in to collect evidence from the spot. Police are examining the footage of CCTV cameras from nearby establishments and analysing other technical evidence to identify the culprits.
Investigators believe the theft was carried out by a well-organised gang familiar with ATM burglary techniques. Notably, this is the second major theft at the same ATM. In 2021, miscreants used a gas cutter to break open the machine and stole Rs 3.8 lakh. During that incident, the accused also cut CCTV cables to conceal their identities.
Security Concerns
The repeated targeting of this ATM highlights vulnerabilities in rural banking infrastructure. Police have urged banks to enhance security measures, including better lighting, alarms, and real-time monitoring. Residents have expressed fear over the lack of safety in the area.
Authorities are confident of solving the case based on technical evidence and witness accounts. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
