Brazen robbery of cigarette van in Sydney

The driver of a cigarette delivery van has been pistol whipped in a brazen attack involving at least four armed robbers in Sydney's southwest.

The robbery occurred at a major intersection in Punchbowl just after 7am on Friday.

Four men in a stolen vehicle allegedly stopped the driver on The Boulevarde before belting him in the head with a gun and ordering him and his passenger to the ground, police say.

The thieves stole half the cigarettes in the van before fleeing in their van.

Acting Inspector Paul Warden said police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The delivery driver was treated by paramedics at the scene.