A former Army Havaldar, who retired just two months ago, has been arrested by Malkajgiri Police on Friday (September 11, 2026) in connection with the theft of 12 firearms and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment premises in Bolarum, Secunderabad Cantonment in Telangana.
The case made investigators examine possible angles ranging from organised crime to espionage and threats to national security.
All stolen firearms and ammunition were recovered, said Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand at a press conference held in Hyderabad on Friday (September 11, 2026).
The Havaldar, Upputholla Mallesh (37), retired from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment on June 30. He was under the scanner for his movements around the regiment in the days before the arms theft. The suspicion gained strength when he appeared before investigators with his call records and WhatsApp history wiped, the DGP said.
8.5 lakh phone numbers analysed
Mr. Anand said investigators had initially drawn up a shortlist of everyone with access to the Kote and Magazine areas. When this yielded no clear lead, intelligence and other agencies analysed around 8.5 lakh mobile numbers and teams used mobile forensics, CCTV analysis, tracking dogs and other methods to narrow down the suspects.
The probe eventually came down to two people, including Mallesh and another havaldar. Mallesh’s movements around the regiment on August 27, 28 and 29 had already attracted attention, with investigators finding that he appeared to be conducting reconnaissance of personnel movements, lighting and surveillance arrangements.
Mallesh’s version of his movements also did not match the statements of others, and he could not satisfactorily account for his whereabouts on key dates.
Appeared before investigators with call records and WhatsApp history wiped
It was after he emerged as a suspect that Mallesh allegedly evaded summons for three days. When he eventually appeared before investigators, they found that his call records and WhatsApp history had been wiped, adding to the suspicion against him.
Mr. Anand said investigators would retrieve the deleted WhatsApp chats and mobile history and examine them as part of the continuing probe.
The arms and ammunition stolen from the 20 Madras Regiment premises in Bolarum, Secunderabad Cantonment in Telangana, displayed at a press conference held in Hyderabad on Friday (September 11, 2026)
| Video Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
CCTV blackout added to the challenge
The investigation was complicated by the absence of CCTV footage from the night of the theft. Mr. Anand said the CCTV system was not working because the power supply at the location was being switched off at night as a precaution following a fire incident there.
The investigators initially examined two Havaldars, who were in charge of the Bell of Arms, but their involvement could not be established. The subsequent shortlist included 10 personnel from headquarters, six from ammunition, seven from the QRT, seven outsourced personnel, 34 personnel sent on punishment and 50 who were on leave.
As the probe widened, investigators examined the possibility of links to the drug mafia, espionage and other national security threats.
Returned to collect magazine covers
According to the investigation, Mallesh left his Balaji Nagar residence around 11 p.m. on August 30 and entered the regiment through the Kargil Gate. He allegedly broke open the Kote lock, removed the firearms and then spent about an hour breaking open the ammunition chamber to take matching ammunition.
He allegedly loaded the ammunition boxes on his scooter, folded the firearms and travelled about 2 km to a remote temple before returning to collect magazine covers. When stopped by a guard, he reportedly said, “20 Madras Regiment”.
Picked up passengers to create alibi
The police said he then transferred the stolen material into his Brezza car and drove towards Achampet, using the ORR and Sagar Ring Road to avoid toll gates. To create an alibi, he allegedly picked up four passengers, dropped them at Devarakonda and later dropped two others at Dindi after collecting payment.
He then allegedly concealed the stolen material under mud, grass and dirt. Police said he removed it on September 8 and shifted it to another location.
Confessed
After his wife and father-in-law were informed on September 10 that the investigation had become serious, Mallesh confessed at the Task Force office, police said.
The teams subsequently recovered the stolen arms and ammunition from locations in Kowkoor, Yapral and Achampet in Nagarkurnool district.
Mr. Anand said the preliminary assessment was that Mallesh was disgruntled over his retirement from service. However, his exact motive and intention behind stealing the weapons were yet to be established. Police were also continuing to question him and investigate whether anyone else was involved.
Given the sensitivity of the case and its national security implications, Mr. Anand said the police had held the press conference to clarify that all the stolen arms and ammunition had been recovered.
Published – September 11, 2026 09:14 am IST
