Lucknow, Aug 29 (IANS): The driver of a security van was shot dead while a security guard was critically injured when unidentified assailants robbed 7 kg gold worth crores of rupees from the vehicle in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district, police said on Saturday.

Inspector General of Police, Lucknow, Zaki Ahmad said the van belonged to Sequel Logistics Private Limited and was used as a delivery van by jewellers.

When the incident occurred the van was returning with a major consignment of gold from Kanpur to Lucknow. The gold was to be sent to Mumbai by plane.

The van started the journey on Friday night from Kanpur with the custodian, driver Hari Shankar Yadav and guard Ram Bachan Pandey.

Near the Ajgain toll plaza between Sohramau and the Lucknow border, a white coloured Bolero intercepted the vehicle, he said.

The heavily armed robbers attacked them and tried to snatch the gold. When the guard and the driver put up resistance they were shot at.

The driver died on the spot while the guard was admitted to the Lucknow trauma centre in critical condition, police added.