India, Sept. 11 -- A former Havildar from Nagarkurnool district of Telangana was arrested on Friday in connection with the theft of weapons, including AK-203 assault rifles, and ammunition from an Army facility here last month, Telangana DGP CV Anand said.

Upputhalla Mallesh, 37, who served as a Havildar with the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, was retired prematurely from service in June this year due to indiscipline and poor health, he told reporters here.

The theft occurred on the intervening night of August 30 and 31, with Mallesh being the sole accused in the case, as per preliminary investigation. The stolen arms and ammunition were recovered intact from his residence, Anand said.

"We are still looking at the motive for the theft....