Military Intelligence joins Army weapons theft probe

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The service weapons stolen from service from the 20 Madras Regiment premises in Bollarum, Secunderabad Cantonment, includes four AK-203 assault rifles. The image is used for representative purposes only.

Malkajgiri Police have reportedly ruled out the involvement of Agniveers in the theft of service weapons and ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment premises in Bollarum, Secunderabad Cantonment , even as the investigation continues under heightened secrecy inside the defence area.

Military Intelligence has also joined the investigation into the theft, with the probe being conducted from within the defence area at an undisclosed location to maintain confidentiality. Sources said even staff at the Bollarum Police Station were not aware of the status of the investigation or the details of the probe being conducted by the investigating team.

The restrictions on sharing information come amid heightened security following the theft of four AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS 1B1 rifle, six 9 mm Auto 1A pistols and a civilian 6.35-bore pistol from the Army premises. A passive night-vision binocular and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition were also reported missing.

The discrepancy was detected at around 7.50 a.m. on Monday (August 31, 2026) when the Kote and Battalion Magazine were opened and the locks were found broken. The weapons and ammunition were last physically accounted for at around 6 p.m. on August 30.

The Army subsequently re-verified its weapon and ammunition holdings and accounting records, searched authorised storage areas and adjoining premises and checked issue and receipt registers. The personnel who had authorised access to the storage and custody areas were also being identified and questioned as part of the inquiry.

The police are investigating the circumstances under which the highly secured premises were accessed and how the weapons and ammunition were removed. The possibility of an insider role and the movements of personnel with access to the storage areas are also being examined, though no details of the findings have been officially disclosed.

The security restrictions imposed in and around the Secunderabad Cantonment area continued on Wednesday (September 2, 2026). Schools inside the cantonment area reopened on September 2, but parents have been instructed to drop their children at the gates and leave immediately. They are not being permitted to enter the premises or wait inside the cantonment area.

Roads passing through the defence area have also been shut to civilians. These include the AOC and NSG roads around R.K. Puram and Marredpally, which remain inaccessible to civilian traffic.

The restrictions have resulted in heightened security checks and limited movement inside the cantonment area as authorities continue to assess the situation following the weapons theft.

The CSD canteen in the area also reopened on Wednesday, but access remains restricted.