Telangana weapons heist cracked, it was an inside job, say cops - The Indian Express

**Telangana Weapons Heist Cracked: Inside Job, Police Say** *Hyderabad, Telangana – September 11, 2026*

Police in Telangana announced on Monday that the high‑profile theft of service weapons from the Secunderabad army armoury has been solved, identifying the crime as an inside job. After a ten‑day manhunt that spanned the city’s Bolarum and surrounding suburbs, investigators detained a retired military jawan—identified as a former non‑commissioned officer of the Indian Army—who they allege facilitated the theft by providing the perpetrators with key security details. The police statement, released in coordination with the Indian Express, said that the suspect’s intimate knowledge of the armoury’s layout and routine enabled a small group to breach the facility and abscond with a cache of rifles, pistols and ammunition.

The operation, which began on September 1, was triggered by an alarm at the Secunderabad armoury when a breach was detected in the early hours of September 2. Forensic teams recovered surveillance footage that showed the suspect entering the premises under the pretext of routine maintenance, after which the doors were left unsecured. Subsequent raids in the Bolarum area led to the recovery of most of the stolen weapons, including several INSAS rifles and 9mm pistols, and the arrest of two additional suspects—one of whom remains in custody while the other is out on bail. Authorities have not disclosed the exact number of weapons recovered, but they confirmed that the haul matches the inventory reported missing.

The Hyderabad Police and the Army’s Directorate General of Ordnance Services have launched a joint inquiry to determine how the breach went undetected and to tighten security protocols at all military depots in the state. Senior officials emphasized that the swift resolution of the case underscores the effectiveness of inter‑agency cooperation, while also warning that any future lapses could pose a serious threat to public safety. The investigation continues to probe whether the theft was motivated by illicit arms trafficking or other criminal motives, and a court hearing for the retired jawan is scheduled for next week.