Using explosives, a group of masked burglars blew up an automated teller machine (ATM) at a bank and escaped with RM300,000 in Simpang Kuala, Alor Setar, early today.

According to Kota Setar police deputy chief Rohana Omar, the burglars had used homemade explosives to carry out the task about 3.30am.

"A review of the footage obtained from the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the bank found the group had smashed the glass enclosure of the bank.

"They then placed explosives on an ATM machine, triggered the blast and fled with the loot in a vehicle," she said when contacted.

She said the burglars had also painted the CCTV camera outside the building to prevent their activities from being recorded.

- Bernama