Masked criminals who barged into the house of a businessman early on Sunday could decamp with some small cash and two cell phones as the latter’s wife attacked them barehanded.

Police have initiated a probe but are yet to make arrests.

Sources said that at around 3.20am, around four-five members of the gang jumped over the boundary wall, broke the lock at the main entrance and entered the house of Babu Vunya, a plywood factory owner, at Palashbari in Alipurduar-I block.

Kalpana, 50, Babu’s wife, was sleeping alone in a room with its door open.

Two criminals entered her room. As she yelled for help, one of them cupped her mouth. They then searched the room and found Rs 5,000 in cash and two cell phones.

“The attackers tried to kill me with a pillow on my face. I could barely breathe. Somehow, I freed my face and bit the hand of the criminal holding the pillow. Then, I kicked him on his abdomen and screamed,” Kalpana .

The criminals fled.

Babu praised his wife. “Because of her, we were saved from a major heist," he said.