Army personnel held in connection with theft of weapons, ammunition in Hyderabad

An Army personnel has been taken into custody in connection with the theft of service weapons and ammunition from an Army facility in Hyderabad, officials said on Friday.

Officials said the role of some other people was also being examined, but did not immediately disclose details about the person taken into custody.

The breakthrough came following a joint effort by the Telangana Police and other agencies, official sources said.

Asked whether the stolen weapons had been recovered, an official said the investigation was still underway.

Five assault rifles, seven pistols, 21 magazines, ammunition and a passive night vision binocular were stolen from a storage facility under the limits of Bollarum police station.

The case was registered at Bollarum police station following a complaint by a Lieutenant Colonel of the Madras Regiment's 20th Battalion, based in Secunderabad. 

The theft came to light on August 31 when Army personnel opened the 'Kote and Battalion Magazine', an ammunition storage facility, and found that the locks on the doors had been broken.

Following the incident, the Army ordered a detailed internal inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft. Police are also conducting a separate investigation.  (with inputs from PTI)