In a daring theft incident, five sandalwood trees worth Rs 2 lakh were stolen from the premises of the Army Officers’ Quarters in Pune Camp. The thieves managed to break the fencing of the sensitive establishment, raising serious security concerns.
The incident took place despite continuous patrolling by military personnel in the area. Jitendrakumar Shaha, a 37-year-old Naik working at the Army Medical Store Depot, lodged a complaint with the Bund Garden police station after making the shocking discovery.
Shaha, responsible for maintaining the premises and the trees, noticed sandalwood branches lying in front of quarter numbers 21C, 14A, and 14C during his routine check at around 6 am on Friday. It was apparent that five sandalwood trees had been cut down. He immediately informed his senior officer Nayab Subedar Mogal Gajanan Nayabrao, Squadron Leader Ravi, and Brigadier PK Sharma about the theft.
Despite conducting a thorough search of the surrounding area, Shaha and his senior officers couldn’t find any clues that could lead them to the thieves. The fencing wires at the spot were also found to be cut, indicating the modus operandi of the criminals.
The stolen sandalwood trees were estimated to be 3–4 years old, standing tall at 10 to 12 feet, with a girth of 10 to 12 inches each. Their total worth was assessed to be around Rs 2 lakh.
In response to the incident, a complaint has been filed against unidentified thieves under Section 379 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Pawar is currently investigating the case, and the authorities are also examining CCTV footage from the vicinity for any potential leads.
This audacious theft has raised concerns about the security of sensitive establishments like the Army Officers’ Quarters. The military authorities and the police are working together to apprehend the culprits and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. The theft of valuable sandalwood highlights the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance in protecting valuable assets on military premises.
