Hyderabad: Investigators detained three senior Army officers in the Bolarum arms theft case involving the 20 Madras Regiment battalion in Secunderabad, according to information from the investigation.
The development came 10 days after investigators questioned four Agniveer guards. Information from their questioning reportedly helped investigators make a key breakthrough.
Authorities took the three officers to Army headquarters in Delhi for further questioning. Investigators are examining whether the officers directly participated in the theft or pressured Agniveer personnel to remove the weapons.
The inquiry found that weapons and ammunition used at the regiment’s training centre did not carry special coding numbers. Investigators suspect the accused identified this gap and removed the weapons in stages under a planned strategy.
The theft did not occur in a single day. Investigators found that the accused had removed weapons one by one over three months.
The suspects allegedly took 12 weapons out of the facility in several phases. The weapons included AK-203 rifles, INSAS rifles and pistols. Investigators are examining who received the weapons and where they went.
Bolarum arms theft probe examines security arrangements
Investigators found that personnel switched off CCTV cameras near the armoury, or ‘kote’, every night from 10 pm to 6 am. They also sent guards on duty outside on different pretexts.
The suspects allegedly created the appearance of activity elsewhere in the regiment before moving the weapons. Investigators are examining whether this tactic helped them avoid detection.
The Bolarum arms theft case has prompted several military and intelligence agencies to join the investigation. The Defence Intelligence Agency, Directorate of Military Intelligence and Military Police are now examining the case.
Investigators are trying to establish why the weapons and ammunition were stolen and where the suspects took them. The probe covers about 12 advanced weapons and nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
The ammunition weighed about one quintal, according to the information available in the case. Authorities are also examining whether anti-social or terrorist elements played any role.
Investigators are checking the call records of the three detained Army officers. They are also examining their financial transactions as part of the probe.
The investigation is continuing to determine whether the senior officers directly participated in the theft or pressured Agniveer guards to carry it out.