GARDEZ, Afghanistan, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan security forces have thwarted attempts to smuggle handguns and seized 77 pieces of pistols in the eastern Paktia province, said a statement of provincial Police office Sunday.
The alleged smugglers were attempting to illegally move the weapons out of the province, but were intercepted by the police during a routine check in Dand-e-Patan district on Saturday night.
However, the smugglers managed to escape, the statement admitted, saying efforts are underway to arrest and bring to justice the culprits.
Security forces have also collected more than a dozen weapons including five pieces of AK-47 and five pieces of pistols in the neighboring Khost province over the past few days.
Afghan caretaker government has vowed to collect arms and ammunition from anyone living outside security organs. The establishment has collected thousands of pieces of light and heavy weapons including tanks and armored vehicles over the past 18 months. ■