Bhubaneswar, July 13: A woman gold trader was seriously injured after six armed robbers allegedly attacked her and looted ₹36 lakh in cash on National Highway-16 near Taladanda in Cuttack on Sunday night. The daring robbery, which took place between 10 pm and 10:30 pm near the Taladanda Canal Bridge close to OMP Chowk, has triggered concern over highway safety.

The victim, identified as Pinki Shah, was travelling on a scooter with one of her employees to the OMP bus stand. She was scheduled to board a bus to Kolkata to purchase gold jewellery for her business.

According to the complaint lodged with the police, the robbers intercepted the scooter by suddenly blocking its path with their vehicle. As Pinki tried to resist, the miscreants allegedly threatened her with weapons and attacked her with an iron rod, leaving her critically injured. They then snatched a bag containing ₹36 lakh in cash before fleeing the spot.

Local residents rushed to help the injured trader, while police reached the scene soon after and shifted her to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.

Pinki, who operates a jewellery shop in Cuttack, was only minutes away from boarding her scheduled bus when the robbery occurred. Her family later lodged a formal complaint at Madhupatana Police Station.

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. Officers have recorded the victim's statement at the hospital and are scanning CCTV footage from NH-16 and nearby locations to identify the accused. A massive search operation has been launched to trace and arrest the six robbers, while investigators are examining all possible angles behind the well-planned highway heist.

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