Former Army Havildar Arrested in Hyderabad for Stealing AK-203 Rifles, Pistols and Ammunition from 20 Madras Regiment Record
Telangana Police have solved the theft of a cache of military weapons and ammunition from the Indian Army’s 20 Madras Regiment headquarters in Bolarum, Hyderabad, with the arrest of a former Havildar and the recovery of all the stolen material. The case, which involved AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS rifle, pistols, magazines, ammunition and other equipment, had triggered a large multi-agency search after the theft came to light.
The accused has been identified as Mallesh, also known as Raju, a former Army Havildar who was discharged from service on June 30, 2026, reportedly on disciplinary and health-related grounds. Police have not publicly detailed the exact disciplinary issues that led to his discharge. Investigators say his prior familiarity with the military facility and its security layout played a key role in the theft.
According to the investigation, the weapons were stolen during the intervening night of August 30 and 31, 2026. The missing items included four AK-203 assault rifles, one INSAS rifle, seven pistols, five AK magazines, three INSAS magazines, 13 pistol magazines, a night-vision binocular and a substantial quantity of ammunition. The theft of such a large and sensitive cache from an Army installation raised immediate concerns over the security of military stores and the possibility that the weapons could be diverted into criminal hands.
How investigators traced the theft
Once the theft was discovered, a joint investigation was launched involving the Malkajgiri Special Operations Team (SOT), Military Intelligence, Telangana Intelligence and the Hyderabad City Police Task Force. Investigators initially narrowed the field to around 16 individuals who had direct access to sensitive areas inside the facility. The probe was then widened to include Quick Reaction Team personnel, outsourced staff, people who had faced disciplinary action and those who had recently retired or been discharged from service.
To track down the culprit, investigators reportedly analysed data linked to more than 8.5 lakh mobile numbers, along with CCTV footage, fingerprints and other forensic material. On the basis of this evidence, police eventually focused on Mallesh.
Officials said Mallesh knew the Army establishment and its security arrangements well. Police believe he conducted reconnaissance on August 28 and 29, two days before the theft, and identified dark spots and areas not adequately covered by CCTV cameras. That, investigators say, helped him plan the break-in and the removal of the weapons without immediate detection.
At around 11 pm on August 30, Mallesh allegedly entered the area and stole the weapons, magazines, ammunition and other equipment. Police said he first moved the cache on a motorcycle before transferring it to a Maruti Suzuki Brezza car. He then allegedly headed towards Achampet.
In what investigators believe was an effort to avoid suspicion, Mallesh reportedly picked up paying passengers along the route to make the trip appear routine. After reaching the area near his house, he allegedly hid the stolen weapons beneath grass and soil. As the search intensified, police say he shifted the cache to different places from time to time before eventually concealing it again at the original spot.
The breakthrough came on September 10, when Mallesh was confronted during questioning in the presence of his family and police personnel. According to investigators, he then confessed to the theft and revealed where the weapons had been hidden.
Acting on that information, investigators recovered the entire cache of stolen arms and ammunition, including the AK-203 rifles, INSAS rifle, pistols, magazines, ammunition and other items reported missing from the Army facility. The recovery has eased concerns that the military-grade weapons might have disappeared into the criminal underworld.
The operation also highlighted the scale of coordination between Telangana Police, state intelligence agencies and Military Intelligence. The recovery came after an intensive search effort that combined technical surveillance, field intelligence and forensic analysis.
Further investigation is continuing to determine the exact motive behind the theft, whether Mallesh acted alone and how the breach unfolded in full. Police are also working to reconstruct the complete sequence of events surrounding one of the most serious recent security incidents involving weapons from an Army facility in Hyderabad.
1 comment
I am an Ex Army person. and I know what is the proceedure to keep weapin in kot. always all arms where kept with securing, with chain and lock. it is the duty of kot incharge. at night there will be patrolling duty. especially at main guard, it is routine the night duty. duty Nco, duty Jco, and duty officer will chek all duties at night. no time fixed. if unknown person enters in guard area, the on duty guard will challenge, by saying halt, hands up, and will ask pass word. seeing the news it is very shame to the unit., and for our military. what will others think? any way, the action must be very serious. never the bloody is not entitled for his pension. thanks for all who participated to find out the theft case.