Retired Army Havaldar Arrested in Major Arms Theft
A former soldier has been detained for stealing firearms and ammunition from a military facility in Telangana, raising security concerns.
Upputholla Mallesh, a retired Havaldar, was arrested for stealing 12 firearms and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition.
Investigators analyzed 850,000 phone numbers and used various methods to identify suspects.
All stolen items have been recovered, and the case has implications for national security.
A retired Army Havaldar, Upputholla Mallesh, aged 37, was apprehended by Malkajgiri Police on September 11, 2026, in connection with a significant arms theft from the 20 Madras Regiment in Bolarum, Secunderabad. This incident involved the theft of 12 firearms and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition, prompting a thorough investigation into potential links to organized crime and national security threats.
Mallesh, who retired from service just two months prior on June 30, had come under scrutiny due to his suspicious movements around the regiment leading up to the theft. Telangana's Director General of Police, C.V. Anand, noted that Mallesh's actions raised alarms, especially after he appeared before investigators with his call records and WhatsApp history deleted. The investigation team initially compiled a list of individuals with access to sensitive areas, which led to a more extensive analysis of approximately 850,000 mobile numbers to narrow down potential suspects.
The investigation revealed that Mallesh had conducted reconnaissance around the regiment on critical dates, including August 27-29, and his alibi did not align with other personnel's statements. Following his emergence as a suspect, he allegedly evaded police summons for three days. Upon his eventual appearance, the deletion of his digital records further intensified the investigation against him. The absence of CCTV footage from the night of the theft, due to a power shutdown, complicated the inquiry.
Mallesh reportedly executed the theft on the night of August 30, breaking into the Kote area and removing firearms and ammunition, which he concealed in his vehicle. To create an alibi, he picked up passengers during his escape. After the investigation intensified, he confessed to the crime, leading to the recovery of the stolen items from various locations in Nagarkurnool district. The police are still probing the case to determine if others were involved and to clarify Mallesh's motives, which may stem from dissatisfaction with his retirement.
Given the serious implications for national security, the police held a press conference to assure the public that all stolen arms and ammunition had been retrieved. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full scope of the incident and any potential connections to broader security threats.
