KABUL, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have thwarted a firearms smuggling attempt and seized a cache of 24 assault rifles of various types in eastern Nangarhar province, the provincial government announced in a statement on Sunday.
The contraband weapons were being smuggled into Afghanistan from a neighboring country when security personnel intercepted them at the Torkham border crossing, according to the statement.
The arms had been concealed inside a vehicle transporting Afghan returnees.
Officials provided no details on whether any individuals were detained in connection with the incident.
The operation forms part of the Afghan government's wider campaign to collect unauthorized arms and ammunition from individuals outside official security forces and to curb weapons smuggling along border regions through the reinforced deployment of security personnel. ■