Foreign-made weapons smuggled from Afghanistan resurface in Pakistan attacks
ISPR says a large cache of arms and ammunition including explosives was recovered from the terrorists. PHOTO: EXPRESS
For more than two decades, Pakistan’s military has been fighting terrorism, yet recently, there has been an uptick in cross-border terrorist incidents originating from Afghan soil.
Terrorists hsave been infiltrating Pakistan through the Afghan border, targeting both security forces and innocent civilians.
It is widely recognised that terrorists in Afghanistan now have access to US-made weapons following the collapse of the Western-supported Afghan government during Washington's chaotic withdrawal, significantly bolstering their resources.
Since the takeover, some American military equipment and arms have surfaced in neighbouring Pakistan, where armed groups have utilised them, according to experts and security officials.
Analysts have noted that the influx of US weaponry has enhanced the strength of terrorist groups including the Fitna al-Khawarij, a also known as the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and various other militant and terrorist groups, which are engaged in anti-state activities. This has contributed to a noticeable increase in violence across the country over the past two years.
Details of the recent operations from this year are as follows:
On the night of October 23-24, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur district, targeting extremist groups. In this operation, nine militants, including two suicide bombers and a high-value target, Qureshi Ustad alias Syed Muhammad, were neutralised.
Large quantities of foreign arms, including AK-47s, AMD-65s, M4 rifles, ammunition, and explosives, were recovered.
Similarly, on September 19-20, intense firefights broke out in North and South Waziristan districts between military personnel and terrorists, leading to the deaths of 12 militants. Seized weaponry included AK-47s, SKS rifles, RPDs, LMGs, ammunition, and explosives.
On August 18-19, security forces conducted an operation based on intelligence in Mastung district, during which three BLA terrorists were killed after a fierce gunfight, with three more injured. These terrorists were linked to numerous attacks in the area, including the assassination of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Ali on August 12, 2024. Seized arms included RPG launchers, AKM MM8s, LMGs, RPDs, and explosives.
On May 14, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Sambaza, Zhob district, Balochistan, killing three terrorists. Recovered weaponry included Type-69 RPGs, PKM machine guns, M-16/A4 MD-90 assault rifles, AKM assault rifles, PG-7V RPG rockets, M-46 hand grenades, F-1 hand grenades, and explosives.
Since April 21, 2024, security forces have been conducting counterterrorism operations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and in the general area of Sambaza in Zhob district.
On April 29, a raid in Khyber district based on intelligence led to the elimination of four terrorists, including leaders Qari Wajid alias Qari Brial and Raziq. During the operation, the militants' hideout was destroyed, and foreign weapons, including M4/A1s, AK-47s, ammunition, and explosives, were seized.
The smuggling of advanced foreign arms from Afghanistan into Pakistan and the terrorists' use of these weapons against Pakistani security forces and civilians raise serious questions about the Afghan interim government's claims that its territory is not being used against Pakistan.
According to Eurasian Times, TTP terrorists are using foreign-made weapons in Pakistan, pointing to continued cross-border threats. The Pentagon has stated that the US provided the Afghan military with a total of 427,300 weapons, of which approximately 300,000 were left behind during the withdrawal, leading to an increase in regional terrorism over the past two years.
From 2005 to August 2021, the US also supplied Afghan National Defence and Security Forces with equipment worth $18.6 billion.
Following the American withdrawal, these arms have aided the TTP in cross-border terrorist attacks, indicating that the Afghan regime is not only supplying TTP with arms but also providing safe passage for other terrorist organisations.