Nagpur: In a well-planned and daring heist, a bullion trader and his nephew were attacked by armed robbers in Pipla near Khaparkheda on Wednesday evening. The assailants, who had their faces covered, looted one kg of gold, 15 kg of silver, and ₹1.25 lakh in cash before fleeing with the trader’s four-wheeler.

The robbers struck moments after the trader, Ravindra Musale, and his nephew locked up their shop, Niharika Jewellery, at Bazaar Square in Pipla, Saoner tehsil. As they placed a bag containing the valuables inside their vehicle (MH-40/CH-8993), one of the assailants fired a round in the air to instill fear. He then punched Musale in the stomach, shoved him aside, and took control of the car, while his accomplices also got in and sped towards Nagpur.

Eyewitnesses reported that around six robbers were involved in the crime. Given the precise execution of the robbery, police suspect that the gang had conducted a recce beforehand and was well aware of the trader’s routine. The heist has sent shockwaves through the police department, which has launched a massive investigation to track down the criminals.

Further inquiries are underway.