Jamshedpur — A gang of six armed men stormed into Vardhman Jewellers in Jamshedpur’s Sonari area on Wednesday afternoon, carrying out a brazen daylight robbery and fleeing with valuables worth several lakhs.
The robbers entered the shop pretending to be customers but soon revealed firearms, taking owner Pankaj Jain hostage. As they looted ornaments from showcases and storage, Jain attempted to resist. One of the attackers struck him on the head with a pistol butt, leaving him bleeding and seriously injured. He was rushed to Tata Main Hospital, where doctors said his condition is critical but stable.
The robbery lasted only a few minutes and was caught on CCTV cameras. The criminals also fired three shots inside the store, though no one else was hurt.
Senior police officials rushed to the spot and launched a manhunt across the city, setting up roadblocks and collecting forensic evidence. Outraged traders have demanded stronger law enforcement, pointing out that this incident comes soon after similar high-profile jewellery heists in Chakulia and Bokaro.
With inputs from IANS