Telangana police arrest 7, including 3 soldiers, in Secunderabad arms theft case

Telangana police announced seven fresh arrests, including three serving army personnel, in connection with the theft of firearms and ammunition from the Army’s 20 Battalion of Madras Regiment in Secunderabad Cantonment on August 30. The accused were produced before a local court and sent to 14-day judicial remand. Police Commissioner B Sumathi said the group planned to use the stolen weapons for robberies targeting banks, jewellery shops and wealthy individuals, with no terrorist links found. The prime accused, retired havildar Upputholla Mallesh, was arrested on September 11, and all stolen weapons were recovered from his father’s residence. Police uncovered the conspiracy during his custody from September 22 to October 1, revealing he enlisted former colleagues and West Bengal-based buyers.