Hyderabad: With investigators yet to crack the sensational theft of firearms from the Madras Regiment armoury in Bolarum, the probe has now climbed the chain of command, with officers responsible for supervising the facility’s security coming under scrutiny.After more than a week of sustained questioning of guards posted at the armoury failed to yield any breakthrough, investigators have widened their focus to include senior personnel overseeing security arrangements, including the unit commander, a Major-rank Army officer.Police sources said the officer commanding the army unit entrusted with securing the armoury is currently being questioned as part of the multi-agency investigation.“There are always two guards on rotational shift duty at the armoury, comprising KOTE (keeper of technical equipment), where firearms are stored and battalion magazine, where ammunition is stored. Their immediate boss is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) of Havildar rank. The supervisory officer who is the commander of the team is a Major,” an investigator said.The Major was stationed at the Madras Regiment in Bolarum when the burglary was reported to the police by a Lieutenant Colonel-rank officer on Aug 31.The investigation, being carried out jointly by the Madras Regiment, Military Intelligence, State Intelligence and Malkajgiri police, has so far involved the questioning of 10 to 15 Army personnel linked to guard duties at the armoury.“Despite the thorough interrogation for over a week since Aug 31, we are unable to get any breakthroughs. We are now questioning the officers supervising the guards, including NCOs, junior commissioned officers and the Major, since the burglary of this nature is not possible without anyone from the unit knowing about it,” a senior police officer said.Investigators said their decision to question supervisory officers was prompted not only by the lack of progress in the case but also by several security lapses uncovered during the probe. These include an alleged practice of switching off CCTV cameras at the armoury during the night and discrepancies in inventory records.Another issue that has drawn attention is the discovery of an empty INSAS rifle magazine during an inspection conducted shortly after the FIR was registered.“The Army personnel confirmed that the magazine was not part of the stolen ammunition, but they were unable to provide details of whom the magazine was issued to. They claim that information was not available in the records. Poor upkeep of armoury records is another glaring loophole observed and we are questioning the officers to find out how and why this has been overlooked,” a Malkajgiri police officer said.