The attackers struck at Kaptai Road crossing in Kalurghat industrial area of the port city shortly before noon and fled with the money belonging to Base Textile Mills.

Police said the van of security provider Group 4 was carrying the money withdrawn from Sonali Bank's KC Dey Road branch for salary payment to textile mills employees.

The armed men halted the vehicle in a hail of bullets close to the mills before they drove it to Madarssah area in Hathazari.

Police rescued the injured and retrieved the van. The injured were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Managing Director of the textile mills SM Nurul Huda Chowdhury said the money was withdrawn from the bank in the presence of an authorised employee of the mills for payment of salary and wages of about 2,500 employees and workers. The Group 4 security men kept the money in a sealed trunk.

"I think information was leaked out. Police quizzed some of our employees and filed a general diary," he said.

Sources linked 'Gittu' Nasir, an Islami Chhatra Shibir cadre, and some ruling alliance activists as involved in the incident. Alliance leaders denied the allegation.

The deputy commissioner (north) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police said law enforcers launched raids in places to recover the money and nab the criminals.