PESHAWAR, May 28: The Peshawar police, during a crackdown on Monday, arrested 43 Afghan nationals under section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

A police spokesman said the Afghans had been arrested during raids and checking at different places in the provincial metropolis as they had failed to produce any valid documents for stay in the country. During the raids, he said the police also recovered arms and contraband from the accused, which included 27 pistols, three Kalashnikovs and hundreds of cartridges.

Of the accused, he said some were proclaimed offenders. They were identified as Lawang of Qazi Kili, Habibur Rehman and Shah Mohammad of Dalazak Road, Hidayat ur Rehman of Hangu, Zahoor of Kohat, Ms Wodigai of Kochian Gulbila and Fazal Sadiq of Hindki Daman. The police spokesman said the Afghans would be produced to the local court today (Tuesday).