Sources said a gang of five to six barged into the Dinnath Sen residence of Khaleda, a cable operator, when a domestic help opened the collapsible gate at about 4:00pm to go to a nearby shop.

Holding the inmates hostage at gunpoint, the robbers looted Tk 7 lakh in gold ornaments and cash.

In the other incident, muggers robbed Tk 1 lakh in cash from a woman on Elephant Road.

The gang sprayed dust in Parul Begum's eyes when she along with her two sons was returning home after drawing money from a Sonali Bank branch in the area.

The victim, who resides at Noor Fateh Lane at Lalbagh, said as the CNG-run autorickshaw carrying them reached Bata crossing on the road at about 1:00pm, some youths sprayed dust in her eyes, blinding her momentarily.

Then they snatched her handbag with the money, she told reporters at Dhaka Medical College Hospital where she went for treatment.