Indian Burglars Tried to Steal Nerpa Docs

13.04.2012 On Wednesday, Apr 11, unknown persons attempted to steal important documents from the Novotel hotel suite in India; the docs are related to Russian nuclear submarine Nerpa (Indian name Chakra) leased to India for 10 years in the last week.

The suite was occupied by Russian Vice Admiral Alexander T. Having returned to the room somewhat at 2.30 am he noticed the lock was broken and called in police.

Except for important documents, there were 80,000 Russian rubles, a laptop, electronic gadgets, and 2,000 Indian rupees in the suite. However, criminals did not take them, writes Times of India.

According to a source in Indian police, burglars failed to open a security case. According to other information, they managed to steal some documents.

Police is still puzzled by the question how could an outsider get into the hotel crowded with security. Presently, Indian law enforcement authorities are trying to identify the criminals using records of watching cameras.

According to the police commissioner, the burglars will be found with help of video cameras. The document was not stolen, he added.

The Russian officer arrived in Visakhapatnam on March 30 with the view to prepare Indian submariners for handling of INS Chakra, said the source.

As for him, the admiral will stay in the country for about a month. By the way, there are some other Russian officers put up at Park, Taj Gateway and Novotel hotels, added the source.

On Apr 4, India took SSN Nerpa on the 10-year long lease from Russia.

Project 971 Schuka-B nuclear-powered attack submarine Nerpa was laid down at Amur Shipyard in 1991. The construction was shut down in mid-90's, although resumed after a decision to lease the sub out to India.

The sub had passed trials in Dec 2011 and left Bolshoi Kamen Harbor on Feb 21, 2012 with Indian crew and Russian experts on board. The leasing contract cost $650 mln. Earlier on, United Shipbuilding Corporation reported about $900 mln.