DUSHANBE, April 13, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A large arms cache has been discovered in children’s summer camp, Bahor, in the Magov Gorge, Vahdat district, according to the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The source at a MoI says the cache containing three ORO-57 (rocket pods) with 42 S-5 aircraft rockets, 700 bullets of 7.62 mm caliber and 48 machinegun bullets was discovered in the ground of the camp’s dining hall yesterday.

According to Wikipedia, the S-5 is a rocket weapon developed by the Soviet Air Force and used by military aircraft against ground area targets.  It is in service with the Russian Air Force and various export customers.  Each rocket is about 1.4 meters long and weighs about 5 kg, depending on warhead and fuse.  Range is 3 to 4 kilometers (1.9 to 2.6 miles).  The S-5 is actually 55 mm (2.2 in) caliber unguided rocket fired from a 57 mm caliber tube. It is used by fighter bombers and helicopters.  The S-5 is carried in rocket pods, with 4 - 32 rockets.  The first were ORO-57 launchers, made in variants with capacity of 4, 8 and 16 rockets.  Most typical became ORO-57K for 8 rockets.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted  and an investigation is under way.

According to the Interior Ministry data, 443 firearms, including 102 assault rifles, 74 pistols, 72 rifles, 40 grenade launchers, as well as 179 explosives and large amount of bullets of different caliber have been confiscated or surrendered to police stations across the country since the beginning of this year under the ongoing weapons collection.  The campaign to urge people to surrender weapons was launched in December 1994.