STAVROPOL. Feb 12 (Interfax-AVN) - As many as 25 pneumatic pistols and 400kg of petards were found in a KamAZ truck belonging to pilgrims going on hajj at the Yarag Kazmalyar checkpoint on the Russian-Azerbaijani border, the press service of the North Caucasus regional border guard department reported on Wednesday.
The arms were found in the truck's bodywork. It is the first case of smuggling among pilgrims this year, an official of the press service said.
Saudi Arabia stopped accepting pilgrims going on automobiles on Tuesday. Those going by planes must arrive in the country before Friday.
The term of Russian pilgrims' return from Saudi Arabia is March 27 to 29, the official said.
Over 2,000 Russian pilgrims going on hajj passed checkpoints of the department.