How armed robbers who stormed in Rupali Bank Keraniganj branch surrendered
Three armed robbers aged between the ages of 20-30 years stormed into the Rupali Bank Jinjira branch in the capital's Keraniganj this afternoon, spreading fear throughout the country.
They rushed in and locked the bank's collapsible gates, taking the staffers hostage.
As news of the impending robbery spread, law enforcers arrived at the scene. The police then asked for the army's help.
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Soon, the bank in Keraniganj was surrounded by army, police and RAB personnel.
Law enforcers and security forces waited for the robbers' first move.
First contact
At first, the robbers sent a note to the law enforcers.
The note had a few mobile numbers scribbled on it, eyewitnesses said.
Then the negotiations began.
At around 5:30pm, Commander of RAB-10 Khalilur Rahman Howlader told reporters at the scene that three of the gang members were inside the bank, while their associates were outside.
Once negotiations were established, the robbers first threw a gun out the window.
They then packed the remaining weapons in a bag and threw those outside as well.
Later, one by one, the robbers stepped out of the building.
Then the law enforcement officers present there boarded the trio into a vehicle after taking them into custody.
Though law enforcement agencies are yet to disclose their detailed identities, officials who were contacted told The Business Standard that they negotiated with the robbers, convincing them to surrender.
The aftermath
Commander of RAB-10 Khalilur Rahman Howlader then informed reporters that no one was injured in the incident.
The bank officials and customers inside the bank were safe.
Besides, no money was stolen.
Later on, security officers went into the bank at around 6pm.
As of filing this report, the army-led joint forces were questioning the bank staffers and customers.
Upon contacting a few staffers inside, they told The Business Standard that they would be able to speak once they left the bank premises.
The hostages were not taken out of the building as of filing this report they were part of the inquiry.
However, law enforcers are not talking to the media for the time being.
An official statement might come after the interrogation.
The storm, the surrender
In the late afternoon, three men suspected to be robbers were detained after they surrendered to the joint forces following their entry into the Rupali Bank branch.
The bank staffers who were taken hostage were also released, Media Officer of RAB-10 Tapash Karmaker told The Business Standard.
The suspects were then taken to the Keraniganj South Police Station, he added.
The group entered the branch, located in Chunkutia Pakapul area of South Keraniganj in the capital, at around 2pm.
Army personnel and police surrounded the bank, alongside the elite force, to nab the robbers and rescue the hostages, said Pizus Sarker, SI and duty officer of South Keraniganj Police Station.
"About 3-4 teams of RAB have gone there. We called for help from the army too," the RAB official told TBS earlier on the day.
"We found out from locals that some armed men entered the bank after lunch and took the bank staffers hostage. The suspected robbers also shut the collapsible gate of the building," he added.
