Police officials, who rushed to the spot along with a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team soon after they received information of the incident, said the gang had been involved in several such robbery in the area in the past.

Sub-inspector D A Damor said the dacoits had a lucky streak but their 14th attempt proved fatal. “A large crowd gathered after news of the first 13 loots spread and prepared to confront the gang. “The dacoits and civilians exchanged a few rounds of gunfire, in which one dacoit suffered grievous injuries and later died, while the gang escaped,” Damor said.

The deceased was identified as Shanker Bhabhor from Unded village in Limkheda. The dacoits numbered around 30 andall were aged between 20 and 25 years.

The police immediately readied teams for combing operations for the rest of the gang members. They recovered part of the loot, along with some silver and gold jewellery, a knife as well as a mobile phone from the body of the dead dacoit.