Khariar: In a major heist, unidentified miscreants broke open an SBI ATM and decamped with money to the tune of lakhs in Khariar block of Odisha's Nuapada district on Monday.

As per reports, the theft took place at the SBI ATM near Mission hospital at around 3 am.

Bank officials informed that the last transaction was around 8.30 pm on Sunday which implies that the theft took place late in the night. The ATM had Rs 14.8 lakh cash all of which was looted. It is suspected gas cutter was used to commit the crime. A complaint has been filed in this connection, shared chief manager of SBI Khariar branch Debi Prasad Mishra.

Meanwhile, police said a case has been registered based on the complaint and investigation initiated.

"Khariar police received two calls from the control room in Mumbai - one at around 3.09 am followed by another at 3.14 am - informing us about the incident. We rushed to the spot immediately and have started investigation. CCTV footage from Mumbai is awaited for further details. Probe is underway and efforts are on to nab the accused and others who are involved in the crime," informed Nuapada SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra.