Daring Daylight Heist in Barbil: Armed Robbers Loot Crores from Bank Amid Security Lapses

Barbil (Keonjhar): Panic gripped the mining hub of Barbil on Monday when five to six armed miscreants stormed the Bank of Maharashtra branch on Kalinga Road during business hours. Disguised as customers, the culprits suddenly brandished firearms, threatened staff and customers, and took control of the premises.

According to preliminary reports, the robbers fled with approximately 4.5 lakh in cash and gold ornaments worth over 7 crore stored inside the bank.

Police rushed to the spot immediately after being alerted, launched an investigation, and set up blockades across the district. CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas is being examined to trace the culprits.

Security Inspection Exposed Serious Lapses
Just days earlier, on January 6, 2025, a security inspection of the State Bank of India, Barbil Branch, revealed glaring vulnerabilities:
– The lone CCTV camera at the main gate failed to cover vital entry/exit routes.
– The strong room sensor was non-functional, disabling the siren system.
– No security guard was deployed during night hours to guard the bank and strong room.
– CCTV footage quality was too poor to identify individuals clearly.
– The hard disk of CCTV cameras was found installed in an open condition, risking theft or damage.

Recommendations for Improvement
The inspection report suggested urgent corrective measures:
– Installation of high-quality CCTV cameras and cloud storage of footage.
– Repair and regular testing of strong room sensors and sirens, with one siren placed outside for public alert.
– Deployment of security guards round-the-clock.
– Regular technical checks of CCTV systems.
– Concealed installation of DVR/NVR systems with dummy units to prevent tampering.
– Display of Barbil Police Station’s emergency contact number prominently inside the bank.
– Restricting entry to one person at a time through chained gates.
– Ensuring strong room keys are held by different individuals.

Police Action and SOP Issued
In light of previous bank loot incidents, Barbil Police convened a meeting on December 19, 2025, with officials of all banks under its jurisdiction.

Following the meeting, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued mandating strict compliance with the above security measures to safeguard financial institutions in the region.

Rising Concerns
The latest robbery has reignited concerns over the vulnerability of banks in Barbil, a town that serves as a critical mining and industrial hub.

Despite prior warnings and SOP directives, the incident underscores the urgent need for banks to strengthen their security infrastructure to protect both assets and public trust.