Madras Regiment arms theft: Retired havildar arrested in Bollaram heist

Police have arrested eight individuals, including a retired Army havildar, in connection with the theft of high-powered weapons from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, in Bollaram, near Hyderabad. The stolen arsenal included four AK-203 rifles, one INSAS rifle, six 9mm pistols, a civil pistol, and nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition, along with binoculars.

Investigators identified the mastermind as Upputholla Mallesh, also known as Raju, a retired havildar who previously handled armoury duties. According to police, Mallesh allegedly planned the heist after being inspired by crime-based web series and videos depicting bank and jewellery shop robberies. He reportedly conducted reconnaissance of the facility, accounting for CCTV cameras, lighting, and soldier movements, before enlisting accomplices Praveen, Vinod, and Seshu to execute the theft.

The theft was discovered on August 31 after Army personnel found the locks of the Kote and Magazine broken. While the weapons were recovered hidden in gunny bags, Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B. Sumathi stated that the investigation has found no links to terrorism or extremist groups. The motive appears to have been the use of the firearms for major property crimes.