Karimnagar: Unidentified armed robbers opened fire on four jewellery shop employees were injured in Karimnagar on Sunday and looted valuable jewels from the shop.

Five unidentified gunmen stormed the PMJ Jewellery showroom in the Jyothinagar area of the city, opened fire on staff, and fled with valuables. Police launched a massive hunt for the robbers. Posing as customers, a group of five assailants entered the high-end jewellery store. While looking at jewellery shown by the sales staff, they pulled out firearms and began firing to create panic and prevent resistance.

Four staff members sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to a nearby private hospital for emergency treatment. After opening fire, the robbers looted display counters, stuffing jewellery into bags before escaping.

CCTV footage shows five assailants, two of them wearing caps, holding weapons and ordering employees, including a security guard, to kneel down and raise their hands. Frightened employees, including two women, were seen obeying the orders of the robbers. One of the assailants blindfolded the security guard before the escape. None of the offenders was masked.

Hearing the gunshots, local residents and neighbouring shopkeepers alerted the police. Task Force teams rushed and cordoned off the area.
Senior police officials visited the jewellery shop and initiated a preliminary investigation. The investigators collected clues from the scene of the offence. Forensic teams were also deployed to collect evidence.

A massive manhunt has been launched across the city and outskirts, with checkpoints set up at key exit points to intercept the gang. Details regarding the value of the stolen property are expected after the store management completes an inventory.

Police Commissioner Ghouse Alam visited the shop. He constituted special teams to track down the robbers. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also visited the showroom.