Copenhagen - At least 200 rifles and handguns were stolen over the weekend in a raid at a Danish army base, police and the army said Monday. Guards posted at the arms depot were threatened and also tied up by three thieves, who appeared to have been well-informed about the layout of the base near Slagelse, eastern Denmark.
The weapons were due to have been sent with Danish forces due to serve in Afghanistan in the coming weeks.
The army said it would increase security after the raid.
The thieves also got hold of some 60 rounds of ammunition but did not obtain any explosives, according to police.
"It was an exceptionally brutal theft. The defence has never experienced anything like it," Bjorn Bisserup, head of the Danish defence command, said.
