5 Jan 2012

British pair arrested in Afghanistan with 30 guns

7:13 am on 5 January 2012

Two British nationals have been arrested in Afghanistan for carrying 30 unlicensed guns.

Police say the men were travelling with a local interpreter and driver on the Jalalabad road, east of Kabul, the BBC reports.

They work for a private security company and were carrying AK-47 assault rifles - one of the most commonly used weapons in Afghanistan.

Police have called on the men's employers to explain why they were transporting the guns without proper documentation.

The Kabul police chief says at least 15 of the AK-47s did not have serial numbers.

Local police and intelligence officials say the weapons were purchased on the black market.

All private security companies are required to buy their serial-numbered weapons through the interior ministry.