ALGIERS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian defense ministry said on Friday that significant quantities of military weapons were found near the border with Mali.

In the southernmost area of Bordj Badji Mokhtar, the army found a Kalashnikov-type submachine gun, three semi-automatic Semionov pistols, seven repeating rifles, an automatic rifle and a large amount of ammunition in a bunker.

In another weaponry bunker in the same area, two Kalashnikov-type machine guns, an automatic rifle, a repeating rifle, 11 mortar rockets and loads of explosives and ammunition were discovered.

Meanwhile, two militants laid down their weapons and surrendered to the military in the southernmost province of Tamanrasset on the border with Mali and Niger.

These operations reflect the high vigilance and determination of army forces to thwart any attempt to harm the security and stability of the country, the defense ministry said in a statement.

Algeria has deployed tens of thousands of troops on the southern and eastern borderline, in a bid to thwart the intrusion of terrorists and arms, amid instability reigning in Mali and civil war hitting Libya.