Shiitenews.com

The Syrian forces also seized large quantities of arms during the operation which was carried out in the town of Rastan in Homs, AFP reported. 

Among the seized weapons were rockets, mortars, machine guns and tear gas canisters that were made in Israel. 

"The armed men sowed terror in the town," said a Syrian official, whose name was not announced. 

Syrian authorities blame "armed terrorist gangs" for the violence which has swept some parts of the country during the past eight months. 

Damascus insists that the unrest in the country has been largely promoted by foreign-linked armed elements who try to incite violence by targeting security forces as well as ordinary protesters.