ISLAMABAD: Evidences showed that the weapons left over by the US and foreign forces in Afghanistan are being used by terrorists in terrorist activities against Pakistan, which has witnessed a drastic increase in the recent days. Pakistan armed forces have been fighting war against terrorism for the last two decades.
It is evident that terrorists are blatantly using the weapons left behind by the US in Afghanistan to damage regional peace and security especially in Pakistan, which has witnessed a drastic increase in terrorist attacks in the recent days.
On night 25/26 March 2024, terrorists of BLA attempted to attack Pakistan Naval Base, PNS Siddique in Turbat. The security forces recovered US-made weapons including M32 multi-short grenade launchers, M16/A4 rifles, night thermal vision devices, and other US-made weapons from the procession of terrorists during the operations.
Similarly, BLA terrorists attempted cowardly attack at the Gwadar Port Authority complex on March 20, 2024. During the attack on the Gwadar Port Authority, BLA terrorists used US-made weapons, which were recovered by the security forces in retaliatory action. The security forces recovered US-made M-16/A4, AK-47, grenade launchers, and hand grenades from the terrorists.
On January 29, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan. During the operation, terrorist Naikman Ullah was killed. The security forces recovered US-made M-4 Carbine from the terrorist.
Sources said that seven terrorists were sent to hell by security forces in Sambaza, Zhob district on January 22. Foreign made weapons including M-16/A2, AK-47, sleeping bags, hand grenades, and other weapons were recovered from terrorists, the sources maintained.
On January 19, two terrorists were killed by the security forces when they were attempting to cross Pak-Afghan border at the Bachisar check post in Miran Shah. M16/A4, AK-47, and other foreign made weapons were recovered from terrorists.
US made weapons including M4 Carbine were also recovered from terrorists on December 31. The terrorists were killed by the security forces when they attempting to cross Pak-Afghan border at Bajaur.
Earlier, on December 29, the security forces had recovered US-made weapons, including M-4 Carbine, AK-47, and huge quantity of ammunition during Mir Ali operation. During the exchange of fire, five terrorists, including terrorist commander Rahzaib Khuray were killed in the operation.
Earlier, several times the US-made weapons were used in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The BLA also used these weapons in attacks on FC camps in Panjgur and Naushki districts in February 2022. Similarly, on July 12, 2023, US-made weapons were used by TTP in an attack on the Zhob garrison.
According to sources, on September 6, 2023, TTP terrorists used the latest American weapons and attacked two military check posts in Chitral. Similarly, sources disclosed that foreign made weapons included RPG-7, AK-74, M-4, and M-16/A4 were recovered from terrorists involved in the Minawali Airbase attack.
Furthermore, the night vision goggles (NVG) and US made rifles were used by terrorists in the terrorist attack in Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan on December 12. In the terrorist attack in Tank on December 15, latest US weapons were used. Three police personnel were martyred and five terrorists were killed in the attack. The terrorists used HE Grenades, AK-47 and M16/A2.
On December 13, security forces and Customs recovered latest US weapons from onion sacks from a vehicle coming from Afghan side to Pakistan. The arms included latest American made M4, rifle, and grenades.
Smuggling of Foreign Weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan is a major question for Afghan Govt.
The smuggling of advanced and latest foreign weapons from Afghanistan into Pakistan and the TTP’s use of the US arms and weapons against the people and the security forces of Pakistan are a big question mark on the claims of the Afghanistan Interim Government of not allowing the use of its soil against Pakistan.
The Eurasian Times reported that the American-made weapons and arms were used by the TTP terrorists in their terror activities inside in Pakistan. The Pentagon also admitted that the US had delivered a total of 427,300 combat arms and weapons to the Afghan army, with 300,000 remaining at the time of its troops’ withdrawal.
However, due to the huge arsenal, the region witnessed a massive rise in terrorism during the past two years. The Pentagon stated that Washington provided equipment worth $18.6 billion to the Afghan Security Forces from 2005 to August 2021
Following the US withdrawal, those foreign made weapons helped the TTP conduct cross-border terrorist attacks. It all suggests that the Afghan regime is not only arming the TTP but also providing a safe haven to it and other terrorist organizations.
