Military Intelligence Joins Probe Into Arms Theft at Bolarum Army Facility

Military Intelligence has joined the Malkajgiri Police in a multi-agency probe into the theft of service weapons and ammunition from a Madras Regiment facility in Bolarum in the Secunderabad Cantonment area.

The theft was detected around 7:50 am on August 31, when Army personnel arrived at the secure storage facility and discovered that the locks had been broken. The weapons had last been physically accounted for on August 30.

According to the Army, the stolen inventory includes five assault rifles, seven pistols, 21 magazines, ammunition, and a night vision device. The missing weapons include AK-203 rifles and an INSAS rifle.

Bolarum Police registered a case following a complaint lodged by Lt Col Mayank Govitirkarkar and established special teams to investigate the breach. Investigators and Army authorities are examining whether the theft involved insiders, outsiders, or a combination of both, given the restricted nature of the facility.

Personnel who held authorised access to the armoury and custody areas are being questioned. Officials are reviewing issue and receipt registers, access logs, and the physical condition of the locks and perimeter security arrangements.

Investigators are also scrutinising surveillance footage from the vicinity. A private CCTV camera near Milkha Singh Ground captured a motorcycle near the premises around the time of the incident, though its registration number could not be read due to darkness and headlight glare. Additionally, a magazine was recovered near the perimeter wall, and investigators are verifying whether it is linked to the theft.

The Army has launched an internal inquiry to verify weapon and ammunition stocks and assess whether security or procedural lapses occurred. Following the incident, security has been tightened across the installation, with stricter entry checks introduced and select routes through Army premises and training areas temporarily closed. Any disciplinary action or court-martial proceedings will depend on the findings of the internal inquiry.