Kozhikode: The timely intervention by the police foiled an attempted ATM robbery at Kalanthode in the early hours of Tuesday. The suspect, identified as Babul Haq, a native of Assam, was caught while in action and taken into custody.

The incident happened around 3 am at an SBI ATM counter. The Kunnamangalam police team, who were on the usual night patrol, noticed suspicious activity at the ATM counter, where the door was found partially open.

"Upon inspecting, the officers saw the suspect using a gas cutter in an attempt to break open the ATM and steal the cash," an official at the Kunnamangalam police station said. The team immediately intervened and arrested the accused on the spot.

The police confirmed that no cash was lost. They said that Babul is believed to have acted alone. "Preliminary investigation suggests he had no accomplices. We are currently questioning him, and further investigation is ongoing," the officer said.

According to reports, Babul had recently moved to Kalanthode in search of work. However, not much else is known about his background at this time.

The arrest was carried out by a team led by Sub-Inspector Pradeep Kumar, along with Civil Police Officers Prajith and Rajendran.