KARACHl: Armed men stormed a private bank in Nazimabad, snatched arms from a security guard, held staff hostage at gunpoint and snatched over Rs3 million before fleeing on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

They added that suspects armed with pistols arrived at a Meezan Bank branch located on the main road in Nazimabad No.

3. They snatched a weapon from the private security guard posted outside the bank and entered it. They held the staff hostage at gunpoint and took away Rs3.4m from the cash counter, said a police officer.

The incident occurred at around 3.30pm.

Nazimabad police officer Arshad Abbasi said that initial report revealed that there were three armed suspects. One wore helmet, another was masked while third one did not cover his face.

The officer said that CCTV footage installed in the bank only covers area up to its gate and it did not cover the road outside the bank. Therefore, the whole situation would be clearer after obtaining CCTV footage from adjoining areas and recording statements of witnesses. The officer said that till late Wednesday evening, the bank management did not get FIR registered about the incident.

Certain TV channels which showed the purported CCTV footage of the incident claimed that there were six armed suspects.

Meanwhile, IG Sindh Dr Syed Kaleem Imam took notice of the bank robbery and sought a detailed report from CIA DIG, said a spokesperson.