Three killed in shootout near collectorate premises

ALLAHABAD: Three persons, including a security guard, were killed and two others injured in a shootout that foiled some armed miscreants' bid to loot cash from a post office near the district collectorate premises, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place late last night when staffs of the post office were carrying a bag containing Rs 27 lakh to a van parked outside from where the money was to be taken to the treasury.

As the staffs approached the vehicle, five motorcycle-borne youths arrived at the spot, opened fire upon them and tried to flee with the bag containing the cash.

However, the security guards challenged them, which resulted in an exchange of fire, leaving two of the robbers and one of the security guards dead while another security
guard and a staff sustained serious injuries, police said.

The injured persons were taken to a hospital where their condition was now stated to be stable, they said.

Meanwhile, police have yet to identify the slain culprits, they said, adding investigations are on to find out which gang was behind the robbery bid.