Panaji, Dec 9 (IANS): In a brazen act, half a dozen armed robbers barged into a bank near here on Friday evening and fled with Rs 13 lakh and an amount of gold, police said. However, two of the robbers were apprehended and severely beaten by people around.

The robbery took place at a branch of the Indian Overseas Bank near Mapusa town, 10 km from here.

Two out of the six robbers were caught and thoroughly beaten up by alert citizens near the bank premises, Mapusa police station in charge Tushar Lotlikar told reporters here.

"The bank robbers entered the bank premises today evening and fired shots in the air. They beat up some customers and bank officials and got away with Rs 13 lakh in cash and some gold jewellery," he said.

Police said the two apprehended robbers were beaten up so badly that police had not been able to question them about their accomplices.

"We are on the look out for the rest of the gang," the official said.