Afghan forces thwart attempts to smuggle cultural and historical relics abroad

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) — Afghan security forces have prevented the smuggling of 11 pieces of cultural and historical relics abroad in southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, a local official reported on Thursday.
Some foreign nationals were attempting to smuggle the artifacts abroad, including coins. Afghan security forces succeeded in discovering the precious relics at Kandahar airport, said Abdul Shakor Sapand, provincial director of art and culture for information and culture department.
According to Sapand, the discovered relics have been transferred to the department and after cleaning and record-keeping will be displayed in museums.
The Afghan caretaker government has prevented the smuggling of 1,500 pieces of historical relics abroad, Acting Minister of Cultural and Information Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa said in May. ■