Four Army personnel held in Madras Regiment arms theft case

Four Army personnel have been taken into custody in connection with the theft of service weapons from the Madras Regiment premises at Bolarum. Police are reportedly probing insider assistance and possible terror or organised crime links while tracing the missing weapons

Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the theft of service weapons from the Madras Regiment premises at Bolarum in Secunderabad, four persons, all Army personnel, were taken into custody by the Malkajgiri police.

Police are said to have recovered AK-47/AK-series rifles, INSAS rifles and around 1,200 rounds of ammunition from a secret hideout in Hyderabad.

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However, officials have not formally confirmed the recovery, citing technical reasons.

A former officer associated with the Madras Regiment is reportedly suspected of having masterminded the theft.

A senior police officer associated with the investigation said, “We have got a breakthrough and caught some suspects. All of them are either serving or retired Army personnel, along with those who assisted them from outside. They are being questioned to ascertain the motive.”

Depending on the outcome of the investigation and further evidence, more arrests may follow, the official said.

Investigators had, since the beginning, examined the possibility of insider assistance, as the weapons were taken from a restricted Army storage facility.

The case has expanded into a multi-agency investigation involving the NIA, Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence, Army authorities and Bolarum police, with officials probing possible terror, extremist or organised crime links.

The theft came to light on August 31, when Army personnel found the armoury locks broken. Initial findings indicated that five assault rifles, seven pistols, 21 magazines and ammunition, besides a night-vision device, were missing.

Investigators have also identified several security lapses, including CCTV cameras allegedly being switched off nightly between 10.30 pm and 7 am.

Army authorities have ordered an internal inquiry to determine who authorised or facilitated the shutdown.

Personnel with access to the armoury, including those recently transferred, are being questioned, while their call records and communication patterns are being analysed.

Police are also examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area, including footage reportedly showing a motorcycle near the facility around the suspected time of the theft.

Authorities are prioritising the recovery and tracing of the missing weapons, given the potential security threat if they remain unaccounted for.