Pune: The Army Institute of Physical Training (AIPT), one of the Indian Army’s premier training establishments, has begun strengthening its security network after six silver trophies, including rare vintage pieces worth Rs 8.39 lakh, were stolen from its officers’ mess earlier this year.According to investigators, the theft is believed to have occurred between Feb 13 and March 15 but went undetected until later in March, when the officers’ mess was being cleaned. The theft has raised concerns over the security of valuable military memorabilia housed at one of the Army’s prestigious training establishments.An internal Court of Inquiry (CoI) ordered after the theft identified shortcomings in the institute’s security arrangements and recommended several corrective measures, including expanding CCTV surveillance across the campus and strengthening the deployment of security personnel at vulnerable locations.“The Court of Inquiry, which was instituted after the incident to examine the security arrangements, has been completed. We found certain gaps in the internal security system. Measures to address those shortcomings are being implemented. More CCTV cameras will be installed to cover the maximum area of the campus, and additional personnel will be deployed at vantage locations,” a senior Army officer told TOI.The missing trophies were discovered after the mess secretary opened a display cabinet and found six silver trophies missing. Army authorities subsequently lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Wanowrie police on April 4.The stolen items include several vintage silver trophies that hold both monetary and historical significance. Police suspect the theft was committed by someone familiar with the premises, as there was no evidence of forced entry.The institute is also reviewing its access-control mechanisms and other security procedures to prevent similar incidents.Sources at the institute said the Army is also examining the process of engaging contractual workers and civilian employees deployed in sensitive areas of the campus. The review aims to strengthen background verification and tighten access protocols for outsourced staff.More than three months after the FIR was registered, the Wanowrie police have yet to make a breakthrough in the case.“We collected fingerprints of the civilian staff deployed in the mess, but the forensic report is still awaited. Since the incident occurred inside the Army campus, there is very little technical evidence available. That has made the investigation challenging, and we have not been able to crack the case so far,” sub-inspector Shekhar Mokate of the Wanowrie police told TOI.Investigators have also alerted jewellers across Pune to watch for anyone attempting to sell or melt silver trophies matching the description of the stolen items.
