An unidentified gang looted the Nepal SBI Bank branch at Hayutar in ward 2 of Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality in Sindhuli on Tuesday night.

Police said around nine to ten masked individuals took control of the bank’s guard and staff before breaking into the branch and fleeing with cash.

According to Superintendent of Police Lal Dhwaj Subedi, chief of the District Police Office, Sindhuli, the group took guard Rudra Bahadur Karki and bank employees under control and looted cash from the vault.

Rural municipality chair Jagat Bholan said the guard was injured after being attacked with a khukuri and was tied up during the robbery.

Police said the exact amount looted was initially unclear. However, bank sources later said the robbers made off with Rs31.1 million.

During a search operation involving the Area Police Office Bastipur and residents, a sack containing cash was recovered from a nearby forest.

Police have impounded a vehicle allegedly used by the robbers and the driver. Further investigation is underway.