Railway sources said a gang of eight got into a compartment of "Karnaphuli Express" from Chittagong as the train slowly moved out of the station at about 10:00pm.

The robbers then looted cash, mobile phone sets and other valuables worth about Tk 1.5 lakh from the passengers of the compartment at gunpoint. They also beat up the passengers, leaving eight of them seriously injured.

The bandits got down from the train near Malibagh rail crossing. Passengers alleged that there was no security guard in the compartment.

The injured passengers were admitted to different city clinics and hospitals.

Meanwhile, police yesterday arrested four people in connection with the train robbery.