More than 200 bush knives, 15 home-made guns, two factory made shotguns and drugs have been confiscated in Papua New Guinea after the first week of a security operation in Hela province.
In Papua New Guinea's Hela province villages are typically protected by trenches and tightly guarded gates. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Three hundred police and military personnel were sent to the Highlands province after months of tribal fighting and a build-up of high-powered firearms.
Police are on a province-wide drive to collect illegal firearms, with an amnesty in place for tribes to surrender their arms by the end of February.
The Post Courier reported that 26 people have so far been arrested and charged for being in possession of the confiscated items.
The provincial police commander, Michael Welly, said one person was wounded in a tribal fight yesterday, but the presence of security forces has deterred any retaliation.