Major security breach in Navy, man in uniform flees with weapons

MUMBAI: A man disguised as a naval officer has reportedly entered the Navy residential area in Colaba and fled with weapons. The incident happened in Navy Nagar, navy’s residential area at Colaba in Mumbai at around 7:30 pm on Saturday. He fled with an INSAS rifle and two magazines loaded with 40 live cartridges. The theft was committed after convincing a junior sailor on sentry duty. The theft happened in a place where entry is strictly restricted.

On the day of the incident, a man in naval uniform approached a junior officer who was in charge of security at the post and asked him to hand over the duty. When he was informed that he had come as a replacement for the security charge, the junior officer handed over the weapon and two magazines filled with 40 live cartridges. It was only when he went missing that it was found that he had been tricked. The junior officer, who had forgotten his watch, had returned to the duty station to pick it up. It was at this time that he realized that the person who had bought the ammunition from him was not there. After searching him for about three hours, the junior officer informed the authorities.

The Cuffe Parade police registered an FIR in the incident. The NIA and ATS are also investigating the incident. The Navy also announced that it has started a search for the impersonator in collaboration with the police. The investigation is being conducted by examining the CCTV footage. A sketch of the impersonator has also been prepared. It is reported that concerns are rising about the security situation at military bases following the theft.