Lal Quila Express Passengers Robbed Near Mokama

Patna: Feb. 26, 2007A day before the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav unveils the new Railway budget in New Delhi; heavily armed criminals on late Saturday night raided the 3112 Lal Quila Express and robbed the passengers of their cash and valuables worth over Rs. 1 lakh.The latest train robbery in Bihar trains took place in the notorious Patna-Mokama division between Pandarak and Mor railway stations.Officials said criminals numbering more than half a dozen entered into the general compartment of the Delhi-Sealdah Lal Quila Express at Barh posing as passengers. As soon as the train gained speed, the criminals pulled out guns and knives and demanded cash, jewelries and other valuables from the sleepy passengers.The criminals shot a few rounds inside the moving train to terrorize the passengers and assaulted five of them when they showed the littlest sign of non-compliance.An FIR was lodged by the robbery victims at Mokama railway station.Officials said raids were being conducted in Barh-Mokama area and they were hopeful of making arrests soon claiming they had some credible tips in the case.