Criminals attacked a power sub-station in Nalanda district and looted cash and equipment worth over Rs 10 lakh in the small hours of Sunday.

An FIR was lodged with the Islampur police station in Nalanda district, alleging that around 25 criminals held the employees captive at the power sub-station and decamped with four cellphones, Rs 5,000 apart from equipment worth over Rs 10 lakh.

The FIR lodged on the statement of the sub-divisional officer, Amit Kumar, said the equipment were meant for electrification work under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme. Three persons - Raja Mohan Choudhary, Dev Nandan Singh and Abhay Kumar - were deployed at the power sub-station.

The complaint mentioned how the criminals suddenly barged into the storeroom after breaking open the glass windows and held the three employees captive.

The sub-divisional police officer, Hilsa, Parvinder Bharti said: 'The criminals had brought a truck with them. They dismantled the electric transformers, loaded them on the truck and fled the spot.'

The sub-divisional police officer said a police team had been set up to nab the criminals and recover the equipment. 'The police have already started investigation in the case,' he said, adding that the employees were quizzed by the members of the probe team.

Islampur police station house officer Pankaj Kumar said the role of the employees deputed at the power sub-station was under the scanner of the police. 'Raids are on to nab the criminals,' he added.