Stolen army arms recovered

Ex-Army havaldar held for stealing 12 firearms, 1,800 rounds

metro india news I hyderabad

A former Army Havaldar, who retired two months ago, was arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing 12 firearms and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment premises at Bolarum in Secunderabad Cantonment.

Telangana DGP C.V. Anand said all the stolen weapons and ammunition had been recovered. The accused was identified as Upputholla Mallesh, 37, who retired on June 30.

The theft came to light on August 31 when Army personnel found the locks of the ‘Kote and Battalion Magazine’ broken. The stolen material included five assault rifles, seven pistols, 21 magazines, ammunition and a passive night-vision binocular.

Following a complaint from a Lieutenant Colonel, Bolarum police registered a case, while the Army ordered an internal inquiry.

Investigators examined personnel with access to the facility and explored organised crime, drug mafia, espionage and national security angles. Intelligence agencies analysed around 8.5 lakh mobile numbers, besides using mobile forensics, CCTV analysis and tracking dogs.

The probe focused on Mallesh and another havaldar, TPS Rao. Mallesh’s movements before the theft raised suspicion, while his account did not match other statements. He allegedly evaded summons for three days and appeared with his call records and WhatsApp history wiped.

Mr Anand said investigators would retrieve the deleted data. The probe also found that CCTV cameras were not functioning on the night of the theft as power was switched off following an earlier fire incident.

Hour-long break-in

According to police, Mallesh left his Balaji Nagar residence around 11 p.m. on August 30 and entered the regiment through the Kargil Gate. He allegedly broke open the Kote lock, removed the firearms and then spent about an hour breaking open the ammunition chamber to steal matching ammunition.

He allegedly loaded the ammunition boxes onto his scooter, folded the firearms and travelled about 2 km to a remote temple. He later returned to collect magazine covers. When stopped by a guard, he reportedly identified himself as being from the “20 Madras Regiment.”

Mallesh allegedly transferred the stolen material into his Brezza car and drove towards Achampet via the ORR and Sagar Ring Road to avoid toll gates. Police said he picked up passengers to create an alibi, dropping four at Devarakonda and two at Dindi. He later concealed the weapons and ammunition under mud, grass and dirt and shifted them to another location on September 8.

After his wife and father-in-law were informed about the intensifying probe on September 10, Mallesh allegedly confessed at the Task Force office. Police recovered the stolen arms and ammunition from Kowkoor, Yapral and Achampet. His motive and possible involvement of others are being investigated.