AK-203 rifles among 12 firearms stolen from Army unit in Secunderabad

A significant theft of service weapons and ammunition from an Army establishment in Secunderabad has placed the cantonment area on high alert. The incident came to light on Monday morning when personnel at the 20 Madras Regiment premises in Bollarum discovered that locks on the Kote and Battalion Magazine, along with the boxes containing weapons and stores, had been forcibly broken.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), 12 firearms are missing, including four 7.62 x 39 mm AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS 1B1 rifle, six 9 mm Auto 1A pistols, and a civilian 6.35-bore pistol. Additionally, a passive night-vision binocular, 21 magazines, and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition were reported stolen. The estimated value of the stolen property is around ₹15 lakh.

The weapons were last physically accounted for at approximately 6 p.m. on August 30, before the magazine was closed. The exact time and method of the theft remain unknown. The missing ammunition includes 720 rounds for the AK-203 rifles and 1,120 rounds for the 9 mm pistols, though the FIR notes the quantity of the latter is still being ascertained. Also missing are 11 rounds of 5.56 mm INSAS ball ammunition, five tracer rounds, and 20 blank rounds.

In response, defence organisations have issued alerts urging personnel to remain vigilant, and schools within the cantonment have been advised to conduct classes online as a precaution. The Army has initiated a detailed internal inquiry, re-verified all weapon holdings, and questioned personnel with authorised access to the storage areas. The Bollarum police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and are examining security arrangements, personnel movements, and CCTV footage. The investigation is exploring all possibilities, including the involvement of someone with authorised access, as the recovery of the weapons is a priority for both the police and the Army.