Seven more arrested over alleged theft of military weapons in Telangana

Police in Telangana have arrested seven more people, including three serving Army personnel, in an investigation into the alleged theft of military weapons from the Madras Regiment premises at Bolarum in Secunderabad Cantonment. Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi said the weapons were allegedly stolen as part of a plan to rob banks, jewellery shops and wealthy individuals.

The arrests followed the earlier detention of former Havaldar Upputholla Mallesh, who police say initially claimed he had acted alone. The serving personnel were identified as Sepoy Konduri Sheshulu, Naik Vinod Kumar and Havaldar Kucharakanthi Praveen. The other four suspects were identified as Avi Dey, Birbal Shaw, Mallesh’s cousin Upputholla Mallikarjun and Chemmakar Niranjan.

According to Ms Sumathi, Mallesh allegedly developed the plan with Mr Mallikarjun and Mr Niranjan, who were facing financial difficulties. He first approached Mr Dey and Mr Shaw about obtaining firearms and later contacted the three Army personnel, with whom he had previously served in the Madras Regiment. Police allege that Mr Dey agreed to buy pistols for ₹3 lakh each and longer weapons for ₹5 lakh each, with ammunition priced separately.

Investigators say Mallesh broke open the locks of the Kote and Magazine with assistance from the serving personnel. The stolen cache included four AK-203 rifles, an INSAS rifle, six 9mm pistols, a civilian pistol, magazines, binoculars and 1,912 rounds of ammunition. The theft was discovered on August 31 after Army personnel found the locks broken.

Police said the investigation had traced an arms connection to 2022, when Mallesh’s battalion was posted in Barrackpore, West Bengal. They said no terrorist or extremist connection had been detected. The seven newly arrested suspects were due to be produced before a court for judicial remand.