Army personnel steal weapons in Hyderabad: Main accused retired due to indiscipline, plan to rob bank

Seven people, including 3 Army personnel, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the theft of weapons from an Army facility in Hyderabad. This information was given by Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi. The main accused in the case is former Havildar Upputhalla Mallesh of Nagarkurnool district of Telangana. He was arrested on September 11. Mallesh is accused of stealing AK-203 assault rifles and ammunition from Kothi and Battalion magazine in Bolaram on the night of August 30 and 31. The stolen goods were hidden at his father's house in Achampet in Nagarkurnool. The police said that all the stolen goods have been seized. The investigation did not find any terrorist or terrorist organization links. 7 people arrested on Saturday During the investigation, the police arrested 7 more people on Saturday. These include 3 serving army personnel, 2 people from West Bengal, a cousin of the main accused Mallesh and a friend of his. Mallesh committed the theft with the help of other accused. According to the police, his intention was to commit theft and robbery to collect a large amount of money. B Sumathi said, "As per the investigation, Mallesh had stolen weapons with the help of other accused. His intention was to commit crimes related to large property. He has not been found to have links with any terrorist or extremist organisation." Mallesh was a havildar in the 20th battalion, Madras Regiment. He was prematurely retired in June this year due to indiscipline and poor health. The court sent him to judicial custody. He was taken into custody by the police on September 22. Investigations revealed that Mallesh had been involved in incidents of theft in houses in the past. He had planned a major robbery along with his cousin and friend, who were facing financial difficulties. The trio wanted to earn more money by robbing banks, jewellery shops and rich people. Breaking the locks with the help of army personnel The commissioner said that Mallesh contacted 3 soldiers of his regiment. With their help, he broke the locks of the barn and magazine and stole arms and ammunition. During the interrogation of the police, Mallesh confessed to one more thing. He said that in 2022, his battalion was deployed in Barrackpore, Kolkata. During that time, he bought a country-made weapon and a live cartridge from 2 people residents of West Bengal. According to the police, both the men said that Mallesh had contacted them and asked if they would buy the weapons and ammunition stolen from the Army. Both of them agreed to this. There was no immediate reaction from the Indian Army on the arrest.