Recently, Pakistan has experienced a notable increase in terrorist activities, with attacks on both civilians and security personnel by militant groups resulting in casualties.
Since January 2024, there has been a concerning rise in terrorists employing foreign, especially American, weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrawal. This development has sparked contention, with Pakistan claiming that militants have seized these advanced weapons, an assertion contested by the U.S.
Security forces’ reports and weapon seizures reveal the use of U.S.-manufactured arms in terrorist attacks within Pakistan, highlighting the presence of sophisticated weaponry like the M32 grenade launcher and M16A4 rifle among militants’ arsenals.
Incidents throughout recent months, including attacks in Turbat, North Waziristan, and along the Pak-Afghan border, have involved terrorists armed with such American-made weapons. These findings underscore the gravity of the situation, with advanced military equipment, including AK-47s, M4 Carbines, and even night vision goggles, being recovered from militants.
Despite attempts to intercept these weapons, militants continue to execute attacks with U.S.-made arms, targeting Pakistani checkposts and military bases, demonstrating the ongoing threat posed by the circulation of such weaponry.
The Eurasian Times has reported that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) continues to utilize American weapons in their assaults, underscoring a significant challenge. This situation is compounded by a Pentagon admission that a substantial portion of the weapons supplied to Afghan forces was abandoned during the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, further complicating regional security dynamics.
