Poorly armed cash van security guards proving to be sitting ducks for robbers

New Delhi: The Capital's seems to be witnessing a battle between double-barrelled guns used by security guards of cash van and the sophisticated pistols used by criminals. Tragically, the latter seem to be winning the battle, and the security guards are ending up as collateral damage.

On October 8, a cash van security guard was gunned down by armed robbers, who intercepted the van at DND flyover towards Mayur Vihar.

Here again, the guard was shot by robbers even before he could either load his double barrel or aim it at the assailants.

The robber, armed with pistols, was quick to aim and shoot, resulting in the dead of the guard Bishambar.

This is far from being the first case where, in spite of being armed, a guard of a cash replenishment agency was shot dead.

In outer Delhi's Narela, on April 26, Prem Kumar was murdered in broad daylight when assailants attempted to rob the cash van and fired multiple shots at Prem Kumar, killing the 40-year-old instantly.

He too was carrying a double-barrelled gun, like Bishambar, and was shot by criminals using pistols.

Investigators have observed that most of these cases turn out to be a battle lost by double barrelled guns to pistols, which are easy to hold, aim and shoot.

"By the time the guard Bishambar could load his long double-barrelled gun, and aim or shoot at the criminal, he was shot under his left ear. Though the guard showed courage, the weapon used by him was too long to match the speed of the criminal," said a senior Delhi police officer.

The minimum requirements to be employed as security guard in cash replenishment agencies include a a double-barrelled gun and an appropriate licence.

However, one must not assume that these guns are a deterrent against robbers.

Considering the fact that criminals, in their attempt to loot cash from cash vans, do not hesitate in neutralising the security guard first, it seems imminent that guards are equipped with better weapons, so that they have chances of engaging robbers and not pose as sitting ducks.

Moreover, a proper strategy is needed on the part of Delhi Police to minimise the bloodshed involved in transporting huge amounts of money.