22 hrs ago
Police Allege Eight Planned Secunderabad Arms Heist for Wealth
Police say a retired army soldier named Upputholla Mallesh led a group of eight people in stealing weapons from an army armoury.
The armoury was in Secunderabad.
Police say the stolen items included rifles, pistols, and more than 1,900 rounds of ammunition.
They say the weapons have been recovered.
Seven other people were arrested, including three serving army personnel.
Police allege the group wanted to sell some of the weapons and make money through robberies.
They say Mallesh was having money problems.
Police say they have found no link to terrorism or extremism.
They plan to question the other accused as their investigation continues.
Police say retired Havildar Upputholla Mallesh allegedly led a group of eight in stealing weapons from an armoury in Secunderabad.
The theft involved 12 military-grade weapons and more than 1,900 rounds of ammunition; Telangana Police said they recovered them.
Seven other people were arrested, including three serving army personnel and four civilians.
Police allege the group planned to sell some weapons on the black market and use robbery to amass wealth.
Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi said investigators had found no terrorist or extremist links.
- Who
- Retired Havildar Upputholla Mallesh and seven other accused, including three serving army personnel and four civilians.
- What
- Police allege the group stole military weapons and ammunition from an armoury, with plans to sell some weapons and commit robberies.
- Where
- The armoury of the 20 Madras Regiment at Bolarum in Secunderabad Cantonment.
- When
- The theft occurred about a month before the police press conference; Mallesh was arrested on September 11, and the arrests of the seven others were announced Saturday.
- Why
- Police allege the motive was financial gain; Commissioner B Sumathi said no terrorist or extremist links had been established.
Key facts
- Accused
- Eight people in total, according to police
- Weapons stolen
- 12: four AK-203 assault rifles, seven pistols, and one INSAS rifle
- Ammunition stolen
- More than 1,900 rounds
- Recovery
- Telangana Police said the stolen weapons and ammunition were recovered
- Serving army personnel arrested
- Three: a Sepoy, a Naik, and a Havildar
- Alleged black-market prices
- Rs 3 lakh for pistols and Rs 5 lakh for rifles
- Police assessment
- Commissioner B Sumathi said no terrorist or extremist links had been established
Quotes
B Sumathi
Malkajgiri Police Commissioner
“He had received Rs 22 lakh as retirement benefits, which he partly used to build a house and buy a car. He faced financial difficulties and felt that robbery and extortion could be the way out.”
indianexpress.com
“The eight-member team also intended to sell some of the weapons in the black market, for prices ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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