India’s golden escape: 3 armed men swipe 15 kg of gold from Madhya Pradesh bank

In a meticulously orchestrated robbery, three armed men executed a high-stakes heist at the Khitola branch of ESAF Small Finance Bank in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, early Monday. The audacious crime unfolded in less than eight minutes, with the masked assailants fleeing the scene on motorcycles as the bank's alarm system activated, too late to stop them.

At around 9:00 a.m., just as the bank was opening its doors to the public, the robbers stormed in, wielding pistols. They quickly overpowered six staff members present and forced them into a corner at gunpoint. Without wasting a second, they accessed the strong room and looted approximately 14.8 kilograms of gold, valued at ₹14.5 crore (AED 6.4 million), along with ₹5.7 lakh (AED 25,000) in cash.

The entire operation was marked by an unsettling level of precision, suggesting prior surveillance and planning. By 9:08 a.m., the gang had fled, leaving behind a shaken staff and a community in shock. Incredibly, the branch had no security guard on duty at the time—a critical lapse now under scrutiny.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale search. CCTV footage from the branch and nearby roads is being analysed, and sniffer dogs have been deployed in the surrounding areas. Police suspect the criminals had knowledge of the bank's internal operations and are investigating possible insider involvement.

The daring heist has sparked public outrage and renewed concerns over security protocols in semi-urban branches. With gold loan activity at its peak during the festive season, authorities are urging financial institutions to bolster their safeguards.

As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing sophistication of criminal networks targeting India's financial sector.