On a quiet Saturday evening in South Mumbai’s Navy Nagar, a high-security residential enclave of the Indian Navy, an unusual visitor walked in. Dressed in naval uniform, he blended easily into the surroundings where entry is normally restricted. Approaching a junior sailor on sentry duty, the stranger calmly claimed he had been sent to relieve him of his charge.
The sailor, unsuspecting, handed over his post. Moments later, the man vanished taking with him an INSAS rifle and two magazines loaded with 40 live cartridges. The theft has since sent shockwaves through the naval establishment, raising uncomfortable questions about security protocols inside a sensitive military zone.
Soon after the incident came to light, the Cuffe Parade police registered a case of theft. What began as a local investigation quickly drew in some of the country’s top agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), underscoring the seriousness of the breach.
What Indian Navy said on the incident?
The Navy, in its statement, said an extensive search operation is underway in coordination with the police to recover the stolen weapon and ammunition. A board of inquiry has also been ordered to examine how the impersonator managed to infiltrate the area and walk away with a rifle from under the guard’s nose.
For now, the mystery man in uniform and the missing rifle remain at large.
A defence PRO, in a statement, said the on-duty sailor was approached by another man in naval uniform, who claimed he had been sent to take over guard duty. Believing him, the sailor handed over his post. Hours later, the impersonator was found missing along with the rifle and ammunition.
What steps are being taken now?
The Navy has launched an extensive search operation in coordination with Mumbai Police to track down the stolen rifle. A Board of Inquiry has been constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The case is also under investigation by other government agencies, with the Navy extending full cooperation.
Is this the first time such an incident has occurred?
This is not the first time the armed forces have faced a missing weapon scare. In April 2023, an INSAS rifle disappeared from Bathinda military station but was later recovered. Earlier, in 2019, two rifles went untraceable at the Suratgarh military station in Rajasthan.
Why does this raise security concerns?
The theft of a service rifle from a sensitive naval area underscores persistent gaps in base security and identity verification protocols. With past incidents resurfacing, questions are being raised about whether existing safeguards are sufficient to prevent impersonation and weapon theft within military establishments.