Army personnel held for opening fire in market

Hyderabad, Aug 15: An Army man was today arrested for allegedly opening fire in the air at Machabollaram market here last week, police said. Lamba Nandeeshwar Yadav, working as Army Service (Lance Naik at 332 Medium Regiment at Ranchi) and a resident of Risalabazar in Bollaram here, had celebrated his son's first birthday at a hall in the city on August 11, they said.

"During the function, Yadav consumed liquor along with his friends and relatives. After the celebration, he along with his relatives returned home in a car and when they reached near Machabollaram market, Yadav in an intoxicated mood opened four rounds of fire in the air with his licensed pistol," a release from Cyberabad police said today.

After that he collected three empty rounds and headed home. The police subsequently seized one empty round from the spot, it said. A case was registered with Alwal Police under relevant sections of IPC and the Arms Act against unknown persons.

As per the release, during course of the investigation, Yadav was today arrested. Yadav had come to Hyderabad on 20 days leave from August 1.

He has been working in the Army for the past 13 years. He possess a licensed 0.32" pistol, the release said. Police seized the pistol, three used rounds and four live rounds.

The accused will be produced in a court, it said. Police also warned persons who are in illegal possession of arms to surrender their weapons immediately and asked the licensed holders not to violate license conditions.

PTI