‘They tried to enter vault, loot cash’: Eyewitness recalls 4hr horror in Rupali Bank attempted robbery

When three would-be robbers stormed into Rupali Bank's Keraniganj branch this afternoon, the instant reaction was one of confusion.

Speaking to The Business Standard, the staffer, on the condition of anonymity, said the first thing they were told was to surrender their phones. 

"They wanted all of our mobile phones instantly," the staffer said of the men – he described as youths – who were brandishing guns. 

For the bank staffer, the next four hours was a blur of panic and disarray. 

"One of us, however, somehow managed to call a local and inform him of what was going on."

Once the information got out, a local mosque was told. 

"They wanted all of our mobile phones instantly"

"The local mosque made an announcement that the bank was targeted."

In time, locals rushed to the spot and were joined by law enforcers and security forces.

"The robbers also tried to enter the vault and tried to take some cash," the staffer said. 

The presence of law enforcers, however, meant their escape route was blocked. They couldn't flee. 

After making contact with the security forces present through a note, the robbers agreed to surrender.

The ordeal would soon come to an end.

At a press conference around 8pm, RAB-10 Commander (CO) Khalilur Rahman Howlader said the surrendered robbers gave their names as Nirob, Niloy and Nibir. 

Later, Keraniganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sohrab Al Hasan confirmed the identities of the robbers – Md Leon Molla Nirab, 22, Md Arafat 16, and Md Sifat 16.

Each was wearing a mask, he said, adding the RAB maintained some skepticism about their identity and the matter was being investigated.