Robbers steal 400 tolas gold, Rs1.37 million cash in Peshawar bank heist on Eid eve

A National Bank branch on Peshawar’s Kohat Road was targeted in a late-night heist on the eve of Eidul Fitr, with robbers escaping with Rs1.37 million in cash and jewellery worth Rs210 million, Dawn reported, citing police.

Police said no guard was present at the time due to a nighttime “no security shift policy”, allowing the robbers to access the premises and remove cash from registers. The robbers used cutting tools and a gas cylinder to break into the branch. 

Investigators said the suspects broke open lockers and took approximately 400 tolas of gold from safety deposit boxes.

Peshawar police spokesperson Alam Khan said a special investigation team has been formed, and raids are being conducted in Khyber, Kohat, Kurram and Islamabad.

Police are collecting CCTV footage from nearby buildings and the Safe City Project to identify and trace the suspects.

The incident is the second major bank-related case reported in Peshawar within 15 days. On March 6, police foiled a robbery attempt at a private bank in Pirbala, where an exchange of fire left three officers injured and one later died.

Officials said similar incidents have occurred in recent years, including a cash van robbery in Nishtarabad in March 2024 and a bank heist in Lakki Marwat in October 2022 involving more than Rs10 million.