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Ex-Army Havildar Accused in Secunderabad Cantonment Arms Heist
A former Army Havildar is accused of stealing weapons from a military armoury in Secunderabad.
Investigators say he entered the cantonment on a scooty while the battalion was away.
They say he broke the armoury lock and took 12 weapons and ammunition.
He first hid the weapons outside the cantonment.
The next day, he allegedly moved them in his car and buried them in Nagarkurnool district.
The theft was found when soldiers checked the armoury inventory on August 31.
The accused reportedly said he was angry because his service extension was denied.
Investigators doubt that explanation and are examining whether other Army personnel helped him or whether the weapons were intended for anti-national elements.
The stolen weapons have since been recovered.
A dismissed former Army Havildar allegedly entered the 20th Madras Regiment’s armoury in Bolarum on a scooty.
Investigators say he stole 12 weapons, including AK assault rifles, INSAS rifles and ammunition, over August 29-30.
The theft was discovered during an inventory on August 31, leading to a case for night house-breaking and government-property theft.
Military Intelligence of the Southern Command and Telangana Police traced the accused using mobile-location data, CCTV and land digital footprints.
The weapons were recovered, while three people are in custody and six to seven serving Army officials are under investigation for possible insider assistance.
- Who
- A dismissed former Army Havildar is the main accused; three people are in custody, and six to seven serving Army officials are under investigation.
- What
- The accused allegedly stole 12 military-grade weapons and ammunition from an armoury.
- Where
- The theft occurred at the 20th Madras Regiment in Bolarum, Secunderabad; the weapons were allegedly buried in Nagarkurnool district.
- When
- The alleged theft occurred over the nights of August 29 and August 30; it was detected on August 31.
- Why
- The accused reportedly cited anger over being denied a three-year service extension, while investigators suspect insider assistance and possibly a plan to transfer the weapons to anti-national elements.
Accused’s stated motive
Investigators’ suspicion
Reason for the theft
Accused’s stated motive
The accused reportedly confessed that he acted out of resentment after his commanding officer denied him a three-year service extension because of his conduct.
Investigators’ suspicion
Investigators said the grudge explanation may have been fabricated to protect others and are examining possible insider involvement.
Intended use of weapons
Accused’s stated motive
The reported grudge account presents the theft as a personal act rather than an operation involving a wider network.
Investigators’ suspicion
Security agencies suspect the 12 rifles and ammunition may have been intended for anti-national elements, although the investigation is continuing.
How the theft was possible
Accused’s stated motive
The accused allegedly exploited the weekend period when the battalion was away and the armoury stock was not checked.
Investigators’ suspicion
A senior investigator said a former serviceman could not likely enter the ammunition store and remove 12 rifles without insider help.
Key facts
- Military unit
- 20th Madras Regiment, Bolarum, Secunderabad
- Weapons stolen
- 12 weapons, including AK assault rifles and INSAS rifles, plus ammunition
- Alleged theft window
- August 29-30
- Discovery date
- August 31
- Weapons recovery
- The stolen weapons were recovered
- Current custody
- Three people are in custody
- Investigation focus
- Possible insider assistance involving six to seven serving Army officials
Quotes
Senior investigator
A senior investigator involved in the joint probe
“Without insider help, a retired man cannot walk into an ammunition store on a scooty and walk out with 12 rifles. The grudge angle looks cooked up to shield others.”
NDTV
Sources
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