GORAKHPUR, Jan. 7 -- Four masked, armed men on motorcycles stormed the Gorakhpur home of a retired revenue employee (lekhpal) on Monday evening, holding the family hostage and executing a sensational dacoity. The 25-minute operation in the Rajhi locality, under the AIIMS Police Station area, resulted in the looting of cash and gold valuables worth nearly Rs.80 lakh, gripping residents with panic.

According to police, the incident occurred around 7:30 pm when Balendu Srivastava, 70, a retired lekhpal, opened the door after the doorbell rang. As soon as he opened the door, the armed people forced their way inside. They held all family members at gunpoint, locked them in a room and threatened to kill them, including children, if they did no...