Ghaziabad, Jan 11 : Two employees of an apparel store in a Sahibabad mall in Ghaziabad district were robbed of Rs. 18 lakh by a group of robbers who threw chilli powder in their eyes, police said Monday.

According to police, Kuldeep Sharma, an assistant manager with Chunmun Stores inside Pacific Mall, and his colleague Rajeev Sharma were going a motorcycle to deposit the store's cash, amounting to Rs. 18 lakh in Punjab National Bank branch at Kaushambi near the Anand Vihar border with Delhi.

"As they reached the metro line, three youth, seemingly waiting for them, asked them to stop. As they did, the three flung chilli powder at them," Indirapuram police station Inspector Rajesh Dwivedi said.

"As Kuldeep and Rajeev lost their balance, the assailants snatched away the bag containing the cash from them and also took away their bike and fled," he added.

The police were informed. Dwivedi said the stolen motorcycle had been found, abandoned near the Anand Vihar border.

"We have taken the statements of the victims and now have the description of the assailants. Four to five people have been detained for questioning. Investigations are on," Senior Superintendent of Police Akhil Kumar said.(IANS)