DJ Party Sparks 2 Crore Ivory Heist at Military Camp

Thieves stole two elephant tusks worth around ₹2 crore from the Pangode military station in Thiruvananthapuram after a DJ party at the officers’ club. Investigators discovered the theft on Thursday morning, just hours after the event, raising serious concerns about security inside the high-security military zone. Authorities have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the shocking incident.

Thieves stole the tusks from the officers’ mess sometime between the night of February 11 and the morning of February 12. The DJ party reportedly involved not only military personnel but also technicians and other individuals brought in from outside to manage sound and lighting systems, which has widened the scope of the investigation.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), unknown persons allegedly entered the officers’ mess and removed the tusks during the night. Police registered the case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and began tracking all possible suspects who had access to the premises during the event.

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Police sources said the theft has raised serious alarm because the Pangode military camp has strict access controls with multiple security clearance layers. Investigators are checking whether an insider familiar with the camp’s layout helped in the theft or a professional gang executed the operation.

Police and Military Intelligence Begin Parallel Investigation

Authorities are focusing on people who entered the military premises from outside for the party. Police are reviewing CCTV footage, and both city police and military intelligence agencies have launched parallel investigations. Senior officers have started recording detailed statements from personnel and staff connected to the event.

Officials have called at least 17 civilians, including minors, for questioning as part of the probe. Investigators are trying to determine how the suspects bypassed security and whether any insider assistance played a role in the theft.

State government officials handed over the tusks to the military station decades ago for safekeeping and assured that they would be returned if requested. The Forest Department had previously refused a request from the camp for additional tusks due to the lack of central approval, highlighting the strict regulations surrounding wildlife artifacts.

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