Patna, Feb. 22: In a daylight heist, seven heavily armed criminals barged into the Harda branch of the State Bank of India under Jokihat police station of Araria about 400km north-east of Patna, and decamped with Rs 15.36 lakh cash.

The incident has raised a finger on police preparedness during such situations and also questions the security of rural banks.

The robbery occurred at 11am today, the police confirmed. Araria superintendent of police (SP) Garima Mallick told The Telegraph that the robbers had come on four motorcycles.

“There were two chowkidars guarding the bank when the incident occurred. There was heavy rush at the bank when the criminals barged in. The men quietly stepped inside the bank and the guards could not notice them getting in,” Mallick said.

The officer added that once the robbers entered the bank they spread out and took everyone, including the bank officials, hostage.

“The chowkidars could not do anything since all the robbers were heavily armed. They held everyone hostage and robbed the bank. On their way out, the men fired shots in the air and also hurled crude bombs to trigger panic. Taking advantage of the commotion they fled,” Mallick said.

The police did not make any arrests till last reports came in.

“No arrest has been made. The police are conducting raids at the moment and working on the leads. All the police stations in and around the area have been alerted. Arrests will be made soon,” she said.

Daylight attacks on rural banks have become a common phenomenon in the state.

In January this year, four daylight robberies took place in banks that had less security and were located in rural areas. On January 18, criminals looted Rs 15 lakh from the Kalyanpur branch of United Bank of India under Kalyanpur police station in Samastipur district.

On January 14, Rs 6.64 lakh was looted from North Bihar Regional Rural Bank, Ramnagra in Sitamarhi.

Muzaffarpur witnessed two consecutive incidents of bank loot in the same month. On January 15 robbers looted Rs 9.38 lakh from Union Bank of India branch in Bazidpur village under Bochahan police station. On the same day, criminals looted Rs 10 lakh from the Bank of India branch at Naya Chowk village in Kanti block in Muzaffarpur.

Earlier, the director-general of police, Neel Mani told The Telegraph that there were plans to setup an exclusive force for the security of the banks, provided the cost of the force is shouldered by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

“The force, will be formed with the help of the battalions of the Bihar Military Police (BMP),” the DGP had said.

“We spoke on this issue earlier but discussions are on. If the RBI wants, an exclusive force could be raised for the banks’ security. The RBI has also expressed its interest. The force is short-staffed and BMP battalions could be added to it.”

However, there is a cost factor involved and the RBI could shoulder it. The police are open to the idea,” Neel Mani said.