Odisha ATMs Proving Jackpots for Local, Inter-State Criminals: 125 Loots in 10 Years, Police Solve Only 30% Cases | Exclusive

Bhubaneswar: Hours after miscreants attempted to loot a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, and failing in their bid, allegedly stole two motorcycles and vandalised several parked vehicles in frustration, the incident has once again exposed the growing vulnerability of cash kiosks across Odisha.

The latest strike marks the third ATM loot or major break-in attempt in Bhubaneswar in just the first seven months of 2026, underlining how the capital city continues to remain on the radar of organised criminal gangs.

From local criminal networks to highly coordinated interstate syndicates, ATMs in Odisha have increasingly become sitting-duck jackpots.

As per the data available, more than 125 ATM loot cases – including successful robberies and major break-in attempts – have been reported in Odisha between 2016 and August 2026.

What makes the crime even more lucrative is the low probability of getting caught.

Despite the growing frequency of attacks, Odisha Police have managed to solve only around 35-40 cases, roughly 30% of the total incidents, leaving nearly seven out of every 10 ATM crimes unresolved.

The combination of huge cash payouts and relatively low detection risk has turned ATMs into one of the most attractive targets for organised criminals.

How ATMs Became a Jackpot for Criminals

For organised gangs, the economics of ATM robberies are compelling.

A successful ATM breach can fetch Rs15 lakh to Rs30 lakh within minutes. Most standalone kiosks, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, remain unguarded at night and lack real-time surveillance integrated with police control rooms.

The numbers present an attractive equation for criminals.

• Potential reward: Rs15-30 lakh in one operation.
• Probability of escaping: Nearly 70%.
• Execution time: Often less than three minutes in the latest SUV-based operations.

The high payoff coupled with a relatively low risk of arrest has encouraged not only local gangs but also organised interstate syndicates, many of whom allegedly channel proceeds into narcotics, illegal arms and other organised crime networks.

ATM Loot Enormity in Odisha (2016-2026)

Year	Reported ATM Loots/Attempts	Major Trend
2016	4-6	Traditional physical break-ins
2017	6-8	Cutting cash trays using crude tools
2018	8-11	Entry of specialised uprooting gangs
2019	12-15	Gas cutters, crude bomb attacks
2020	9-11	Pandemic slowdown; urban kiosks targeted
2021	11-14	Industrial gas cutters become common
2022	15-18	Heavy machinery and vehicle dragging
2023	16-20

Coordinated masked gangs, CCTV sabotage

2024

14-17

Interstate syndicates enter Odisha

2025

15-19

Armed hold-ups, uprooting operations

2026*

11

SUVs ripping out entire ATM machines

Total (2016-August 2026): More than 125 incidents

Why SBI ATMs Are Targeted the Most

Among all banks, State Bank of India (SBI) has emerged as the biggest victim.

Compiled data indicate that over 65% of reported ATM robberies in Odisha involved SBI kiosks.

The reasons are largely structural rather than operational.

• SBI operates the largest ATM network across Odisha.
• A significant number of kiosks are located in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Several outlets function without round-the-clock security guards.
• Many kiosks are located close to highways, allowing criminals quick escape routes.
• Remote locations often suffer from delayed police response.

Besides SBI, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and India1 ATMs have also figured prominently among targeted kiosks.

How ATM Loot Methods Have Evolved

The evolution of ATM robberies mirrors the growing sophistication of organised crime.

2016-2018: Criminals mainly relied on crowbars, cutters and physical force to break open cash trays.

2019-2021: Industrial gas cutters became the preferred weapon. In several cases, gangs even used crude bombs to blast open ATM kiosks.

2022 onwards: Criminals shifted to uprooting entire ATM machines using stolen vehicles, auto-rickshaws and heavy machinery.

2026 has witnessed perhaps the most dramatic transformation. Instead of spending 20-30 minutes cutting open the machine on site, gangs now use powerful SUVs to yank the entire ATM out of its foundation within two to three minutes, drag it to an isolated location and break it open later.

The July 2026 Balasore case, where a gang allegedly used a Mahindra Thar to uproot an ATM, exemplifies this changing modus operandi.

Meanwhile, many gangs have also begun:

• spray-painting CCTV cameras,
• wearing identical masks and gloves,
• using stolen vehicles,
• conducting reconnaissance through online mapping tools,
• escaping rapidly via NH-16 and NH-49 before police can establish checkpoints.

Police Detection Still Trails Criminal Innovation

While Odisha Police have cracked several high-profile ATM robbery cases through CCTV analysis, cyber tracking and interstate coordination, the overall detection rate remains modest.

Only about 30% of ATM loot cases have been solved, according to data available.

Successful investigations have largely been confined to cases where:

• CCTV footage remained intact,
• forensic teams reached quickly,
• mobile tower dumps yielded leads,
• interstate police coordinated immediately.

However, a majority of cases continue to remain unresolved because gangs frequently:

• flee across state borders,
• use stolen vehicles,
• conceal identities,
• destroy surveillance evidence,
• operate during narrow late-night windows.

Although Commissionerate Police in Bhubaneswar record a significantly better detection rate than many district police units, organised interstate gangs continue to exploit jurisdictional delays after crossing into neighbouring states.

2026: Bhubaneswar Accounts for Three ATM Attacks

Of the 11 ATM loot and major break-in attempts reported in Odisha till August 2026, three have occurred in Bhubaneswar.

These include:

• January's failed Canara Bank ATM gas-cutter attempt at Ghatikia.
• The Lingaraj area ATM robbery that was later solved by Commissionerate Police.
• Tuesday's failed SBI ATM break-in on the city's outskirts (Balianta), after which the miscreants allegedly stole two motorcycles and vandalised nearby vehicles while fleeing.

The remaining eight incidents have largely been reported from highway-linked districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam and Cuttack rural.

Why ATMs Continue to Be Soft Targets

Security experts believe multiple structural weaknesses continue to favour criminals.

First, thousands of ATMs still operate without night guards.

Second, several kiosks lack live monitoring linked directly to police control rooms.

Third, many cash vaults do not have GPS-enabled tracking devices that could help trace stolen machines.

Fourth, isolated highway locations allow gangs to escape quickly into neighbouring states before police can mount coordinated operations.

Finally, delays in interstate coordination often enable professional gangs from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand to disappear before investigators can build actionable leads.

What Needs to Change

Experts suggest Odisha can significantly reduce ATM robberies through a combination of technology, infrastructure and policing reforms.

These include:

• mandatory GPS tracking for ATM vaults,
• AI-enabled CCTV systems directly linked to police control rooms,
• geo-fencing alerts whenever an ATM is physically moved,
• anti-drag anchoring mechanisms that prevent uprooting,
• dedicated highway anti-property crime squads,
• faster interstate intelligence sharing,
• deployment of security guards at high-risk kiosks.

Unless these measures are implemented comprehensively, security analysts warn that the combination of high cash availability, easy access and a nearly 70% probability of escaping detection will continue to make Odisha's ATMs lucrative jackpots for organised criminal gangs. 

Also Read: How Three Crime Syndicates Turned Balasore into Odisha's Fastest Growing Firearms Hub; Why Police Still Playing Catch-Up| Special Report