Patna: A gang of armed criminals looted Rs 12 lakh from a bank in Gopalganj district, around 200km northwest of Patna, on Saturday.

Police said eight criminals entered the Sasamusa Bazar branch of Punjab National Bank around 11am and collected cash from the cash counter and chest after holding the employees at gunpoint. Only a few customers were present in the bank at the time of the incident.

The criminals also opened fire to keep the customers and the local residents at bay. "They entered the bank as soon as it started operations for the day. By the time we could suspect any foul play, they held the staff captive and collected cash from the chest," said branch manager Pappu Kumar Singh.

The manager said the gangsters damaged the computers and other valuables in the process of reaching the chest where cash was kept safely. "They also tried to damage the CCTV installed in the bank to avoid police attention," he added.

The manager clarified that the exact amount looted by the gangsters would be known only after counting of the currency notes. He further said the dacoits opened fire to create panic among the people, who couldn't muster courage to challenge them. "The counting of notes is underway," he told the police.

Awakash Kumar, the station house officer (SHO) of Kuchaikote police station under whose jurisdiction the area falls, said three of the dacoits have been identified on the basis of CCTV footage. "Raids are underway to nab the accused criminals," he said.

Gopalganj superintendent of police Raviranjan Kumar later visited the bank and inquired about the incident from the manager and other employees who were present in the bank at the time of the incident.

When contacted, the SP said the police have got some clue in connection with the loot. "The police will crack the case soon," he told The Telegraph over phone.