A major robbery took place at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Vijayapura district, Karnataka.
Armed robbers dressed in military uniforms looted the bank, stealing 58 kg of gold and ₹8 crore in cash. The robbers were masked and carried country-made pistols and other weapons.
How the Robbery Happened
According to early reports, the incident happened on Tuesday evening.
The gang entered the bank, overpowered the staff, and tied up all employees, including the manager and cashier.
With full control of the bank, they carried out the robbery without resistance and escaped.
The getaway vehicle used by the robbers was later found abandoned in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, prompting a large-scale investigation.
Search Operation Launched
Police teams from Karnataka and Maharashtra have launched a joint search operation to track down the robbers.
Officers quickly reached the scene, and a crowd of locals gathered outside the SBI branch as news of the robbery spread.
Robbers in Military Uniforms
The robbers reportedly wore military-style clothing, which may have helped them avoid suspicion at first.
Their weapons included locally-made guns, and they appeared well-organized in their actions.
After stealing the valuables, the group fled the area, leaving behind their vehicle, which is now a key piece of evidence in the case.
Similar Incident: Canara Bank Robbery in Vijayapura
This is not the first bank robbery in the area. In June 2025, a robbery at the Canara Bank branch in Vijayapura also drew major attention. Thieves stole 59 kg of pledged gold and ₹5.2 lakh in cash.
In that case, police arrested three key suspects, including the bank manager himself.
The investigation revealed that Vijaykumar Miriyal, the former manager of Canara Bank’s Managuli Village branch, was the main planner behind the robbery.
He was arrested along with Chandrashekhar Nerella, a former bank employee turned contractor and casino operator, and Sunil Moka, Miriyal’s assistant.
