n a major security breach, an unidentified man dressed in naval uniform fled with a rifle and ammunition from a sentry post in the Naval residential area at Colaba in South Mumbai. The incident took place on the night of September 6, when there was heavy bandobast because of Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh marking the end of Ganesh festivities. While
Cuffe Parade police have registered a theft case, other investigating agencies including the NIA and ATS, have joined the probe.
According to details that have emerged during the police investigation, a junior sailor was on duty when a man impersonating as an Indian Navy guard approached him. The accused told the naval officer present that he had come to relieve him from his duty.
An hour later, the accused, who had assumed “duty”, was found missing from the sentry post. He had fled the sentry post with an INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle and two magazines loaded with 40 live cartridges.
“A junior sailor, whilst on sentry duty, was allegedly approached by another person in naval uniform who relieved him of his duties, indicating that he had been sent to do the same. Later, the person who assumed sentry duties was found missing from his post along with the rifle and ammunition,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said. “A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances leading to the incident.
The case is also under investigation by other Government agencies, and the Indian Navy is extending all necessary assistance to this effort,” the Navy spokesperson added.
