The gang blocked traffic with burning cars and even opened fire on cops in a brazen daylight assault.
Mobile phone footage captured the chaotic scenes shortly before 8am on State Road 613, the main artery linking Brindisi and Lecce in southern Italy.
An armed cash-in-transit vehicle was ambushed by a commando of between six and ten masked robbers, some posing as police using vehicles fitted with flashing blue lights.
To force the van to stop, the attackers positioned a small truck and a van across the carriageway, setting them on fire and creating what witnesses described as a “wall of flames”.
Traffic was brought to complete standstill as terrified motorists were trapped on the road.
The targeted vehicle belonged to BTV, part of the Battistolli Group, which operates armoured cash transport services across Italy.
As the gang closed in, detonated an explosive device on the transporter.
Dramatic footage shows the armoured vehicle being blown into the air, flames and debris billowing across the highway as thick black smoke filled the sky.
Despite the power of the blast, a foam-based security mechanism was triggered inside the van, ultimately thwarting the robbery.
Although the criminals succeeded in blowing up the vehicle, they were unable to access the cash, according to multiple reports.
A firefight then erupted as Carabinieri patrols rushed to the scene.
Armed with Kalashnikov rifles and shotguns, the suspects exchanged gunfire with officers, using vehicles for cover as shots rang out.
One police car was struck by three bullets, while an unmarked vehicle was rammed during the pursuit.
Miraculously, no injuries or fatalities were reported among police, security guards or civilians, despite the level of violence and the presence of motorists at the scene.
Footage filmed by drivers shows at least six masked suspects wearing white and black overalls moving between vehicles with weapons in hand, while other motorists looked on in shock.
Italian media reported that other drivers caught up in the ambush were also robbed as the gang made their escape.
After abandoning the scene, the suspects fled by stealing cars from passing motorists to break through police roadblocks
Metal spikes were reportedly scattered across the asphalt to shred the tyres of pursuing vehicles.
Carabinieri later intercepted an Alfa Romeo travelling at high speed and found it abandoned in the countryside.
A man who attempted to flee on foot nearby was arrested, along with another gang member who also tried to escape.
Authorities confirmed that two suspects are now in custody, while at least two others remain at large.
State Road 613 was temporarily closed in both directions between kilometre markers 8.3 and 12.8 near San Pietro Vernotico, in the province of Brindisi.
Anas diverted traffic onto the former State Road 16 as firefighters cleared the charred wreckage and forensic teams carried out investigations.
The robbery was ultimately unsuccessful, with the gang failing to escape with any cash.
Italian outlet Sky TG24 reported the suspects are believed to hail from the Foggia area, notorious for producing gangs specialising in paramilitary-style armoured vehicle robberies.
Nicola Magno, Puglia regional secretary general of the Un Arma association, said: “Once again, the Carabinieri found themselves on the front lines of an extremely violent and organized criminal act.
“The fact that a patrol was hit by gunfire demonstrates the high level of risk to which our officers are exposed on a daily basis.
“It is only thanks to the professionalism, composure, and sense of duty of our colleagues that today we are not talking about a tragedy.”
Authorities have launched a major manhunt, including helicopter surveillance, and warned of heightened police presence and checkpoints across the region as investigations continue.
