Thieves attempt robbery in Visakha Express train at Piduguralla, railway police open fire

Robbers made a vain bid to loot passengers in Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express train at around 3 a.m. on Sunday (June 29, 2025.)

Alert Government Railway Police (GRP), who were on escort duty in the train opened fire on the thieves and prevented the offence. The GRP, Palnadu district and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) police launched a hunt to nab the thieves, who escaped into the nearby villages.

RPF Assistant Security Commissioner B. Sailesh Kumar, who visited the spot said when the train reached Tummalapalem village two robbers pulled chain in S1 coach and tried to stop the train. Nadikudi GRP SI Venkatadri, who noticed thieves opened fire and chased them.

“Other members of the robber gang who were waiting near the tracks pelted stones. When another constable too opened fire along with the SI, the thieves escaped into the dark,” Guntur Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police (DSRP) Akkeswara Rao said.

“After the robbery attempt, the train was stopped for 17 minutes at Tummalapalem village. Efforts are on nab the thieves. Police opened nine rounds of fire on the gang,” Mr. Sailesh Kumar told The Hindu.

“This is the second robbery attempt on Pidiguralla-Nadikudi area in just five days. Thieves attempted to rob passengers in S4 bogie in Visakha-Charlapalli Special train two days ago by pulling the chain,” the Assistant Security Commissioner said.