12 firearms stolen from Madras Regiment unit remain untraced a week on

A week after a theft was detected at the 20 Madras Regiment in Bolarum, 12 firearms and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition remain untraced, with no arrests made so far. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the premises on Saturday, September 5, as the Army, Military Intelligence, and Telangana police continued their coordinated probe.

The weapons were last physically accounted for at around 6 p.m. on August 30. The discrepancy was discovered the next morning at approximately 7:50 a.m., when personnel opened the Kote and Battalion Magazine and found broken locks and damaged storage boxes.

The missing cache includes four AK-203 assault rifles, one INSAS 1B1 rifle, six 9 mm Auto 1A pistols, and a civilian 6.35-bore pistol. Also reported missing are a passive night-vision binocular, 21 magazines, and the ammunition. The estimated value of the stolen items is ₹15 lakh, though investigators note the haul could fetch significantly more on the black market.

The location of the theft has raised questions for investigators. The armoury is situated in a quiet, green stretch of the cantonment, with no visible signage identifying it. The arms and ammunition were stored in separate rooms approximately 50 metres apart. Police suspect the perpetrators had prior knowledge of the layout, given that ammunition was specifically taken from the arms storage area. The premises have between six and eight entry and exit points.

A case was registered on August 31 by Bolarum police based on a complaint from Lt. Col. Mayank Govitirkar, Adjutant of the 20 Madras Regiment. The Army is re-verifying its records, examining storage areas, and questioning personnel with authorised access. Much of the investigation is being conducted within the defence area, with details kept confidential.

The Madras Regiment is among the Indian Army's oldest, with origins traced to December 4, 1758, when two battalions were raised by Robert Clive. Its Regimental Centre is at Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The 20 Madras Regiment at Bolarum is a battalion of this regiment.