Balasore, May 22: In a violent midnight heist not less than the plot of a Bollywood movie, armed miscreants robbed jewellery worth over Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50,000 cash from a house in Soro area of Odisha’s Balasore district late last night.

The assailants tied up the family members and subjected them to physical assault during the robbery. The nightmare escalated when a neighbor attempted to intervene and rescue the victims. In response, the robbers opened fire, leaving two individuals critically wounded.

As per reports, a group of seven armed robbers stormed into the house of one Rabindra Nayak in Dayanidhipur village under Soro police limits and later carried out the robbery.

Two neighbors, Rohit Nayak and Balaram Raut, were shot while trying to catch the robbers. Balaram’s condition is critical as he was shot in the chest.

After the robbers escaped, the villagers rushed the injured to Soro Hospital. After first aid, they were shifted to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for better treatment. Balaram Raut’s condition is especially serious because he was shot in the chest.

Upon getting the information, Soro police arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation.

An investigation has been initiated into the incident and efforts are on to apprehend those responsible for this brazen act, said the police.