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Telangana Police Arrest Seven for Weapons Theft, Seize Arms

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 11:07 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Telangana police arrested seven suspects, including three active Army personnel, for stealing weapons.
Retired Havildar Upputholla Mallesh led the theft.
Mallesh offered Rs 3 lakh per pistol and Rs 5 lakh per long weapon to buyers Avi Dey and Birbal Shaw.
Police recovered four AK-203 rifles, six pistols and 1,876 rounds of ammunition.
Police gave all seven suspects 14-day judicial remand and said they planned bank and jewellery robberies, not terrorism.

History

Historical Context

In 2005, the Indian Army’s “Kashmir arms-smuggling scandal” exposed senior officers selling 12 assault rifles to insurgents, prompting nationwide reforms. The investigation, led by Delhi Police and the Ministry of Defence, seized 12 rifles, 4 pistols, and recovered INR4 million in cash. Today's Telangana police seizure of four AK-203 rifles, six pistols, and 1,876 rounds by seven suspects, including retired Havildar Upputholla Mallesh, mirrors that earlier breach of military security. The recurrence underscores the need for stricter inventory controls and transparent oversight to prevent future weapon diversions and related criminal plots.

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Story summary

Telangana police arrested seven suspects, including three active Army personnel, for stealing weapons.
Retired Havildar Upputholla Mallesh led the theft.
Mallesh offered Rs 3 lakh per pistol and Rs 5 lakh per long weapon to buyers Avi Dey and Birbal Shaw.
Police recovered four AK-203 rifles, six pistols and 1,876 rounds of ammunition.
Police gave all seven suspects 14-day judicial remand and said they planned bank and jewellery robberies, not terrorism.

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