Armed robbers searched the vehicle and targeted three bKash sales representatives carrying cash

Armed robbers intercepted a bus on the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf highway and looted Tk 57 lakh in cash from three bKash sales representatives after stabbing one and assaulting the others today.

The incident occurred at around 1:45pm in the Dumdumia area of Teknaf upazila, Teknaf Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam said.

Quoting the bKash representatives, he said Tk 57 lakh had been looted from them.

Members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard had been deployed in the area. A joint operation has been launched to identify the robbers’ hideouts in the surrounding hills, recover the looted money and bring those responsible to justice, he added.

The injured were identified as Arman, 24, who sustained stab injuries, Sakib, 21, and Ekram, 22. All three are residents of Teknaf municipality and work as sales representatives for bKash.

According to local sources and eyewitnesses, the Palki Paribahan bus was travelling from Teknaf to Cox’s Bazar when a group of masked and armed robbers emerged from nearby hills and blocked the highway by placing a large nail-studded log across the road.

After forcing the bus to stop, the attackers held passengers at gunpoint and searched the vehicle.

The bKash employees said they had withdrawn the cash from the Teknaf branch of Shimanto Bank and were transporting it to agents in Hnila and Whykong unions.

Arman was stabbed when he attempted to resist, while the other two employees were assaulted.

After the robbery, the attackers fled towards the surrounding hills. Local residents suspect the gang may include both locals and Rohingyas.