India News: Forty-one serving and four retired Indian army officers and are facing action for allegedly selling non-service pattern (NSP) weapons in the black market in the border districts of Rajasthan, Parliament has been informed.
Two major generals and two brigadiers are also included among the accused. Defence Minister A.K. Antony told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that action was being taken against the serving officers. Officers can buy prohibited weapons, such as 9 mm pistols or .30 bolt action rifles, from ordnance factories at cheap prices for personal use. These are called NSP weapons.
The 41 officers posted in Rajasthan were selling the weapons in the grey market with the help of arms dealers. Antony said a court of inquiry was on in the case. Civilian authorities in Sriganganagar had provided a list of officers who had sold their weapons. Among them were two major-generals and two brigadiers.