Patna: The police believe Tuesday morning's murder and robbery in Nawada village under Phulwari police station area was the handiwork of the Chaddi Baniyan gang.

"Family members told police the robbers wore underwear and vests. Such clothes used to be worn by the Chaddi Baniyan gang that operated in Patna till a few years back," Phulwari police station house officer (SHO) Ajit Kumar said.

Sources said the Chaddi Baniyan gang had regrouped in the recent past.

Personnel from different police stations have been roped in to nab the gang behind the crime on Tuesday.

Early on Tuesday, robbers bludgeoned a 52-year-old man, Ajay Vishwakarma, to death at a house in Nawada village under Phulwarisharif police station. The robbers killed Vishwakarma while he was resisting the loot bid. The incident occurred at the house of Ajay Malakar, a florist. After killing Vishwakarma, the robbers attacked the Malakars, injuring them, and looted cash and valuables.

Police personnel from Phulwari, Naubatpur, Khagaul, Bihta have been roped in to conduct raids. "The Chaddi Baniyan gang are originally from Haryana and Punjab region. During the day, the gang surveys the area it wants to target and commits the robbery during night."

Police sources said the gang members generally attack persons on their heads, killing them on the spot if they face any resistance.

Ajay Malakar owns a flower shop in Rajvasnhi Nagar and had shifted to Nawada village six months ago. Police said Ajay's financial condition was not so sound and the robbers might have assumed he was rich.