Three criminals on a bike killed a private security guard, injured another and fled with Rs 5 lakh at Ziradei in Siwan district, around 175km northwest of Patna, on Saturday.

The two guards, identified as Manish Kumar and Abhishek Kumar, had been hired by a private agency to deposit money at Central Bank of India ATMs. The incident occurred at around 3pm when the guards were headed to an ATM at Pachlakhi Bazaar on a motorbike.

Three unidentified criminals intercepted them on Ziradei-Hanumanagar road and attempted to snatch the bag containing the money at gunpoint. As Abhishek resisted the criminals' bid, one opened fire at him, killing him on the spot.

The assailants then attacked Manish and fled with the bag. Manish immediately informed local police who arrived at the spot about 20 minutes after the incident.

Manish later told the police that they were carrying Rs 14 lakh in two separate bags and the remaining amount in the other bag has been handed over to the agency which had hired them.

Siwan superintendent of police Saurav Kumar Shah said the identity of the criminals was yet to be ascertained. "Raids will be organised to nab the offenders," he added.