Rourkela, Nov. 20: Four goons tried to rob a household yesterday, but failed, thanks to the bravery of a father-son duo.

The goons, armed with guns and knives, entered the house of Sriprasad Jaiswal, 53, a resident of Kissantoli, near the Panposh Sports Hostel, in Raghunathpalli police limits of Rourkela.

The incident happened late in the afternoon, when Jaiswal, who had come home late, was relaxing after having his lunch. It was then that the four goons barged in and pounced on him. Jaiswal raised an alarm and his family gathered. One of the youths brandished a gun and shoved Jaiswal's wife, son and daughter into a room, while Jaiswal's second son, Rohit, displayed courage and presence of mind, managing to lock himself in a different room.

The robbers started demanding money and other valuables from Jaiswal. But, Jaiswal did not relent. He and Rohit resisted the robbers in spite of one of the attackers threatening the family with a knife. One of them attacked and injured Jaiswal and his son, Rohit, 16, with the butt of a gun. They received head injuries in the scuffle. But, Jaiswal snatched away the knife from one of the attackers and started chasing him. His son Rohit joined his father and took on the robbers.

The courage of the father-son duo unnerved the goons. By then, hearing the commotion, neighbours came to their help. Intimidated, the attackers escaped from the scene.

"I was shocked at the incident. However, I did not allow them to rob me. My son helped me to fight them off," Jaiswal told the media.

Jaiswal said he had a seasonal business. The robbers, however, did manage to snatch a gold chain and some other gold ornaments from his wife and daughter.

Superintendent of police Anirudha Singh said: "We are looking into the case. At the moment it is hard say anything or to pin suspicion on any groups." The police are yet to arrest anyone in this connection.