Bandits gang-rape elderly nun in India during attack on Christian missionary school

Disturbing attack was committed by at least six men in West Bengal

Students of Convent of Jesus and Mary School participate in a protest against the alleged gang rape of a nun in her 70s (AP)

An elderly nun was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men who broke into a Christian missionary school in eastern India.

The disturbing attack was committed by between at least six men at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in Nadia district, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state.

The victim is believed to be at least 72-years-old and was asleep in bed when the group broke in. Police say the men attacked a security guard and tied him up with ropes before entering a room where nuns were sleeping.

They allegedly took one nun to another room when she tried to prevent them from entering and raped her, a police officer told the Associated Press.

Police are still searching for the suspects, who fled with cash, a mobile phone, a laptop computer and a camera all stolen from the school.

Teachers, children and parents led protests demanding swift action from police to bring the alleged attackers to justice. Mamta Banerjee, the West Bengal's top elected official, denounced the brutal assault in a strongly worded statement and called on law officials to lead a high-level investigation.

She also urged people to demonstrate peacefully in the area.