11 weapons, including 4 AK-47s, stolen from high-security Secunderabad Cantonment

In a security breach at the high-security Secunderabad Cantonment near Hyderabad, over a dozen weapons were stolen. These included four AK-203 assault rifles, seven pistols, an INSAS rifle, as well as more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a pair of night-vision binoculars. The theft was discovered around 7:50 am on Monday. The arms were allegedly taken from a store room belonging to the 20 Madras Regiment.

Police sources revealed that the area is mainly accessed by military personnel. Following a complaint by top Army officials, the police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for trespassing and breaking in for theft of government property. The Army launched an investigation after securing all entrances to the affected wing.

Multiple personnel were questioned upon the theft's detection. The stolen items were last accounted for on August 30 at 6 pm, prior to the Kote and Battalion Magazine's closure. The unit was in the middle of training in a Field Firing Area when the breach occurred. The security of a Kote, or strongroom, relies on an Army guard, typically eight soldiers – two Non-Commissioned Officers and six Other Ranks.

Investigation measures included re-verifying weapon and ammunition holdings, searching storage areas and adjoining premises, and identifying and questioning personnel with authorized access. The police have been directed to keep the case details confidential due to national security concerns.