New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) A 50-year-old security guard of a cash van was killed after unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at the vehicle-- carrying Rs 4.2 crore-- in an attempt to rob it near the DND toll plaza in east Delhi's Mayur Vihar, police said Tuesday.

The failed robbery bid took place on Monday night, police said, adding that the van belonged to a security agency and the victim was accompanied by the custodian of the firm along with the driver.

According to police, around three to four persons came in two vehicles, overtook the cash van and forcefully brought it to a halt.

While one of them got out of the car and began arguing with the driver of the cash van, another tried to open the door of the van and allegedly opened fire at the security guard, seated next to the driver, when he tried to resist, they said.

In the back of the vehicle were three boxes containing the cash along with the third occupant-- the custodian of the firm who managed to escape the spot unhurt and informed the police, they added.

The injured security guard, identified as Vishambhar, was admitted to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, police said.

The van was headed towards Noida after collecting cash from its office in Janakpuri, a senior police official said.

The accused fled from the spot and took away the driver's mobile phone and Rs 1,200 cash while leaving behind one of their cars which has been taken into custody, the official added.

Police have registered a case and are scanning the CCTV camera footage of the incident to trace the accused and to ascertain the sequence of events, the officer said, adding that multiple teams have been formed to trace the culprits.

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