DUSHANBE, August 13, 2009, Asia-Plus  - An arms cache, containing one pistol SP-81, 16 shells for the attached grenade launcher VOG-25 and 440 bullets of 7.62 mm caliber for the assault rifle Kalashnikov, was discovered on the bank of the Panj River in the Tem area of Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan on August 12, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

Since the beginning of this year, Tajik law enforcement authorities have confiscated 709 firearms, including 183 assault rifles,, 90 pistols, 125 unit of other rifled weapons, 92 grenade launchers, 348 hand grenades and other ammunition from people across the country, the source at a MoI said.

In all, more than 31,500 illegally possessed weapons and ammunition have been confiscated from the population since 1994, when president’s decree on the voluntary handing in and confiscation of firearms, ammunition and military equipment from the population was issued.