Dhemaji, July 27: Three youths today looted Rs 40 lakh from a van carrying cash to fill up State Bank of India ATMs at Silapathar in Dhemaji district.

Sources said the youths, travelling on a red Pulsar motorcycle without number plate, stopped the van carrying cash at Pukia, around 35km from here, around 11.55am.

"One of the youths put an AK-47 to the head of the driver and other two youths carrying pistols snatched the rifle from the security guard in the van and threw it in a nearby ditch. The youths had their faces covered," a source said.

The spot is around 6km from Silapathar police station.

The van, with four persons, including the security guard, was carrying cash from the Dhemaji branch of SBI to load different ATMs under the Kulajan branch of the bank in Silapathar, about 42km away.

The two youths carrying pistols then opened the currency box and brought out a red bag containing cash. Subsequently, they snatched the van key from the driver. The robbers then sped on the bike towards Betanipam in Arunachal Pradesh, the source said.

Dhemaji superintendent of police Nilesh Sawakare said they have launched an operation to arrest the culprits. "We are interrogating the four persons who were travelling in the cash van," he said.

Locals questioned the safety and security for the people as the incident occurred in broad daylight on a busy road connecting Silapathar to National Highway 15.