PESHAWAR, July 6: Police on Saturday made a large seizure of illegal weapons, including assault rifles, rocket launchers and hand-grenades in the northwest region bordering Afghanistan.

The cache had originated from the semi-tribal belt and police believe the weapons were being taken to different cities in Pakistan for subversive activities.

“The private car carrying the arms was intercepted at a police checkpoint but the driver fled and left the car behind,” Peshawar police chief Khurshid Alam told reporters here.

He said police recovered 78 assault rifles, 16 double-barrel rifles, two rocket launchers, 10 hand-grenades and a large quantity of ammunition from the car.

“We believe the arms were to be used for terrorist activities in different cities of the country.”

Police said they had identified the man who escaped as Kahlilur Rehman. Police were investigating if he was linked to any militant group.—AFP