Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Friday that the two robbers who shot dead the two security guards and decamped with Rs 93 lakh cash meant for filling the SBI ATM in Bidar on January 16 have been identified.
He also said that efforts are on to secure them and police teams have gone to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and other possible places where the robbers could belong to.
"Both of them have been identified. They are being followed," Parameshwara told reporters. According to him, the assailants fled to Hyderabad after the crime.
The robbers fled the spot in a bike, carrying the cash filled trunk, he said.
SBI has assigned a Hyderabad-based firm to fill the ATMs, Parameshwara added.
"Usually gunmen accompany when such a huge amount of cash is transported. Unfortunately, yesterday there was no gunman in the vehicle," the Minister said.
He opined that the robbers must have monitored the cash transportation mechanism for a very long time and carried out the crime. The robbers shot dead two security guards, Giri Venkatesh and Shiva Kashinath, before decamping with the cash meant for filling the SBI ATM in the district headquarters town of Bidar on Thursday.
The deceased were the staff of CMS Agency, police said. The staff had come to the ATM located on the busy Shivaji Chowk to fill the cash at 11.30 am, they said. Sources said the robbers fired eight rounds.
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Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
