The city woke up to alarming reports of the recovery of 160 electrical detonators in the Secunderabad Cantonment on Thursday.
Amid initial speculation that the two were linked, the Malkajgiri police clarified that the detonators were not found on Army land.
“The detonators were not recovered from Army land and did not belong to the Army,” Malkajgiri DCP Ch.
Police found eight bundles of electrical detonators, with 20 detonators in each bundle, taking the total to around 160.
The Malkajgiri Bomb Detection Team, along with sniffer dog Rudra, examined the material and identified it as 33A-size commercial electrical detonators.
The city woke up to alarming reports of the recovery of 160 electrical detonators in the Secunderabad Cantonment on Thursday. The report follows the theft of 12 assault rifles, pistols and ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment.
Amid initial speculation that the two were linked, the Malkajgiri police clarified that the detonators were not found on Army land. They were recovered from a private venture near the Army camp and were suspected to have been left there by land or plot developers at least a year ago.
“The detonators were not recovered from Army land and did not belong to the Army,” Malkajgiri DCP Ch. Sridhar said. Police suspect that they were left at the gated community by land or plot developers at least a year ago.
The recovery came during intensified searches in areas surrounding the Army camp following the theft of 12 assault rifles, pistols and ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment. Police registered a separate case over the detonators and began an investigation.
“Any developments in the Army case will be informed officially,” the DCP said.
Bolaram police personnel investigating the missing weapons were conducting searches near the rear wall of the firing range, adjoining Golf Enclave Venture, when they noticed a light-green plastic bucket containing suspected explosive material.
Police found eight bundles of electrical detonators, with 20 detonators in each bundle, taking the total to around 160. The Malkajgiri Bomb Detection Team, along with sniffer dog Rudra, examined the material and identified it as 33A-size commercial electrical detonators.
The detonators were seized in the presence of independent witnesses and secured for disposal in accordance with safety protocols. Bolaram police registered a case under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.
Residents of the nearby Golf Enclave Venture expressed concern over the recovery and the increased movement of Army and police personnel in the area. They referred to a series of incidents in recent months, including a theft allegedly involving a Nepalese gang, the weapons theft and the recovery of the detonators.
Pooja, a resident of the enclave, said, “We have been living here for the past four years and have never seen anything like this. For the last two days, there is a regular movement of Army and police personnel. It is frightening. Even children are constantly asking what is happening, and we are only learning about developments through the news. Moreover, with the attached Military compound wall, we only thought there was security, but it now makes us question if there is a threat too,” said Pooja.
Sushma, who purchased an apartment in the locality with her husband for their retired life, said, “Everything was fine until a couple of months ago. There was a theft involving a Nepalese gang in May; now it is the weapon theft, not somewhere else but within the Army premises and now the recovery of detonators. It is worrying. And the amount of stolen ammunition is actually scary, and making us think that if it falls in the wrong hands,” said Sushma.
