What Did Afghan Police Discover in Helmand?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Afghan police seized a large cache of weapons in Helmand.
- One suspect was apprehended during the operation.
- The government is committed to combating illegal arms trafficking.
- Public cooperation is encouraged in identifying illegal arms.
- Similar operations are being conducted in other provinces.
Kabul, Nov 16 (NationPress) Authorities in the southern region of Afghanistan's Helmand province have successfully seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition and apprehended one suspect during a recent operation, as confirmed by provincial police spokesman Mullah Ezatullah Haqqani on Sunday.
Haqqani reported that the confiscated items comprise six Kalashnikov rifles, three hand grenades, a mortar launcher, an M16 assault rifle, a shotgun, along with hundreds of bullets, cartridges, and other illegally stored military equipment, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The ammunition was uncovered in the Gereshk district of Helmand, where police also detained an individual believed to be involved in the case. The suspect has been moved to custody for further inquiry.
Previously, on November 9, provincial police spokesman Haqmal Saad stated that Afghan police had confiscated illegal arms and explosives in the eastern Panjshir province and arrested an alleged smuggler.
This haul included three AK-47 assault rifles, a pistol, a pair of binoculars, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and other military equipment, which was recovered at a checkpoint.
The individual was apprehended while trying to smuggle the contraband out of the province, the official noted.
Saad encouraged the public to assist security forces in identifying illegal arms and reiterated that police would not tolerate illegal possession or transportation of weapons anywhere in the province.
In a similar operation a week earlier, police in southern Kandahar province arrested three other arms and ammunition smugglers.
On November 6, the provincial police office released a statement indicating that police discovered seven pieces of firearms and ammunition in central Afghanistan's Daykundi province.
This weaponry, which includes three stocks of Kalashnikov assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade, a machine gun, two hunting guns, and hundreds of bullets and projectiles, was retrieved from a house during operations in the Pato district, the statement added.
Police have also arrested an individual on charges of illegally possessing weaponry, the statement further disclosed.
The statement urged the public to refrain from keeping or carrying arms illegally.
As part of initiatives to ensure law and order in post-war Afghanistan, the Afghan government has pledged to collect arms and ammunition from individuals outside the security forces.