Afghan Forces Capture 30 Beretta Pistols in Kandahar Smuggling Bust
Synopsis
In a significant anti-smuggling operation, Afghan border forces have seized 30 Beretta pistols in Kandahar. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat arms trafficking in the country.
Key Takeaways
30 Beretta pistols seized in Kandahar.
Operation conducted in the Tor Kach area of Maruf district.
Active measures against arms trafficking by Afghan authorities.
Part of a broader initiative to enhance national security.
Previous significant seizures include rocket launchers and hand grenades .
Kabul, March 13 (NationPress) Afghan border security forces successfully seized 30 Beretta pistols during a precision intelligence operation in the southern province of Kandahar, as confirmed by a local security official on Friday.
The operation took place in the Tor Kach area of the Maruf district, where these firearms were intercepted while being illegally transported into Afghanistan from a neighboring nation, according to Nazir Ahmad Shakeeb, spokesperson for the 205 Al-Badr Army Corps, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Shakeeb affirmed that Afghan security forces are diligently combating arms trafficking across the vulnerable border regions.
This arms seizure aligns with the Afghan government's broader initiative to recover firearms and ammunition from unauthorized individuals and to thwart weapons smuggling in border territories by deploying additional security personnel.
In December of the previous year, counter-terrorism police discovered and confiscated a significant cache of arms and ammunition in Khost province, eastern Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior Affairs.
This seizure included two rocket launchers, 15 hand grenades, 1,100 rounds of PK machine-gun ammunition, as well as assorted ammunition and rocket rounds, which were confiscated during a series of counter-terrorism operations in the Zazi Maidan district of the province.
Three suspects were apprehended in connection with this confiscation and will be handed over to judicial authorities following preliminary investigations.
In a related operation, police also uncovered additional arms and ammunition in the adjacent Paktika province as part of ongoing measures to control unauthorized weaponry.
Throughout the past four years, Afghan authorities have confiscated thousands of weapons and large amounts of ammunition in a national campaign aimed at bolstering security and stability in the war-torn nation.
On November 30, 2025, local officials reported the discovery of a substantial weapons cache in Uruzgan province, leading to the arrest of three individuals connected to this find.
According to Bilal Uruzgani, the spokesperson for the provincial police, the weapons were hidden within a residential property and included a variety of ammunition, hand grenades, rocket shells, bullets, and other munitions.
Authorities have initiated further investigations to identify other individuals potentially connected to this illicit arms cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized during the operation in Kandahar?
Afghan border forces seized 30 Beretta pistols during a targeted intelligence operation.
Where did the operation take place?
The operation occurred in the Tor Kach area of the Maruf district in Kandahar province.
What are the Afghan authorities doing to combat arms trafficking?
Afghan security forces are actively working to curb arms trafficking by intercepting illegal weapons and deploying additional personnel.
Have there been other significant arms seizures recently?
Yes, in December, a cache of arms including rocket launchers and hand grenades was confiscated in Khost province.
What is the broader goal of these operations?
The broader goal is to enhance security and stability in Afghanistan by recovering illegal arms and preventing smuggling.
