The recent theft of twelve firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and a set of passive night-vision binoculars from the highly secure Secunderabad Cantonment, located near Hyderabad in Telangana, is suspected to be an inside operation, as reported by The Indian Express.
Police officials indicate that the incident, which involved the theft of four AK-203 assault rifles, seven handguns, an INSAS rifle, the ammunition, and the binoculars, likely took place within a 12-hour timeframe between 6 PM on August 30 and 6 AM on August 31. The crime was discovered when the armory and ammunition storage facility were accessed, revealing that the locks had been tampered with.
A police officer involved in the investigation stated, “This is undoubtedly an inside job.”
The authorities are investigating a possible involvement of certain defense personnel who have access to the armory. This suspicion is supported by three key factors: the continuous security presence at the armory, the presence of Army guards during the theft, and the failure of the guards to activate the manual alarm system.
Among those being questioned are both veteran and newer personnel within the defense ranks.
The weapons were reportedly taken from a storage room belonging to the 20 Madras Regiment. The discovery of the theft was made around 7:50 AM on Monday, prompting the police to register a case for trespassing and theft of government property under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Major Probal DasGupta, an Army veteran and strategic commentator, described the incident as a “serious and unusual matter.” He expressed skepticism about the possibility of an external break-in, given the robust security measures in place. “Considering the current information, it’s unlikely that an external intrusion could go unnoticed until the following morning,” he stated. DasGupta emphasized that the Army strictly adheres to procedures for the issuance and return of weapons from the armory and anticipated a serious response to the theft, with clearer information expected following the inquiry.
Nikhila Henry serves as an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where she is based in Hyderabad. With a 17-year career in journalism, she is recognized as an authority on affairs in South India, focusing on the intricate intersections of politics, education, and social justice.
Beginning her journalism journey in 2007 as an education correspondent for The Times of India in Hyderabad, Nikhila gained prominence for her coverage of student political movements. Her career path has included a four-year stint at The Hindu, where she reported on minority issues and social welfare. In 2019, she assumed the role of South Bureau Chief for The Quint, managing regional news coverage across all five South Indian states. Additionally, she has experience at the BBC in New Delhi and has contributed to notable international publications such as The Sunday Times (London) and HuffPost India.
Nikhila’s reporting is distinguished by a profound understanding of grassroots initiatives and institutional policies. Her main areas of focus include:
- Regional Politics: In-depth analysis of socio-political dynamics in South India.
- Education & Student Movements: Documentation of the evolution of Indian academia and the rise of youth activism.
- Minority Affairs: Thorough reporting on the rights and challenges faced by marginalized communities.
- National Beat: Bringing regional narratives to national attention through investigative and on-the-ground reporting.
As a respected figure in Indian journalism, Nikhila is not only a veteran reporter but also a successful author and editor. She has written the critically acclaimed book “The Ferment: Youth Unrest in India” and edited “Caste is Not a Rumour,” a collection of writings by Rohith Vemula. Her dual expertise in daily news reporting and long-form writing equips her to provide readers with a nuanced and historically informed understanding of contemporary Indian society.
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