The security forces find themselves facing a renewed threat from terrorists equipped with foreign weapons believed to have originated in Afghanistan.
This alarming trend has reignited concerns about the role of Afghanistan's interim government in curbing the flow of arms and preventing their use against Pakistan. The Pakistan Army has been fighting the war against the TTP for the past two decades. It is obvious that the terrorist group has access to weapons left behind by the US in Afghanistan.
The supply of arms to the TTP has significantly damaged the security of the region, particularly in Pakistan, which has seen an increase in terrorism.
A String of Incidents:
- December 31: Three terrorists crossing the Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur were killed, and they were found possessing American-made M4 Carbines and other weapons.
- December 29: M4 Carbines, AK-47s, and ammunition were recovered from terrorists in North Waziristan's Mir Ali area.
- Previous Incidents: Similar foreign weapons have been used in numerous terrorist attacks across Pakistan, including those perpetrated by the Baloch Liberation Army and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Five terrorists, including terrorist commander Rahzeb alias Khoray, were also killed in the exchange of fire during the Mir Ali operation.
Foreign weapons have been used in terrorist attacks in Pakistan several times before. The Baloch Liberation Army also attacked FC camps in Nushki and Panjgur districts in February 2022 using the same weapons.
In the July 12, 2023 attack on Zhob garrison, the TTP used American weapons. On September 6, 2023, TTP terrorists armed with the latest American weapons attacked two army check posts in Chitral.
The weapons recovered from the terrorists in the November 4 Mianwali Airbase attack were foreign-made, including RPG-7, AK-74, M-4 and M-16/A4.
On December 12, night vision goggles and American rifles were used by terrorists in the attack in Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan.
In another attack in Tank on December 15, modern American weapons were found on terrorists. In the attack, three policemen were martyred and five terrorists killed. The terrorists used M16/A2, HE Grenades and AK-47.
On December 13, Customs and security forces recovered modern American weapons from onion sacks in a vehicle coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan. The weapons included modern American-made M4, American rifles, and grenades.
The smuggling of modern American weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the use of US weapons by the TTP against the security forces and Pakistani people are big questions about the claims of the Afghan interim government of the Taliban not allowing their territory to be used against Pakistan.
A Eurasian Times report also says that US-made weapons are being used in TTP’s terrorist activities in Pakistan.
The Pentagon has said that the US provided 427,300 combat weapons to the Afghan military, with 300,000 remaining at the time of the American withdrawal. Due to this, the region has witnessed a massive increase in terrorism during the last two years.
The United States provided $18.6 billion in equipment to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces between 2005 and August 2021, according to the Pentagon.
After the US withdrawal, these weapons helped the TTP carry out cross-border terrorist attacks. All these facts indicate that the Afghan regime is not only arming the TTP, but also providing a safe haven for other terrorist organisations.
Impact on Pakistan:
- Increased Terrorism: The easy access to foreign weapons has fuelled a rise in terrorist activities across Pakistan, posing a significant threat to the country's security and stability.
- Cross-Border Attacks: Pakistan has witnessed an alarming number of cross-border terrorist attacks since the US withdrawal, further highlighting the spillover effect of Afghanistan's instability.
Moving Forward:
- Regional Cooperation: Addressing the issue of foreign weapons and cross-border terrorism requires regional cooperation and coordinated efforts between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other stakeholders.
- International Support: Engaging the international community and securing their support in holding the Afghan Transitional Government accountable and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists is crucial.
A Complex Challenge:
The presence of foreign weapons in the hands of Pakistani terrorists is a complex and multifaceted issue. Pakistan faces the arduous task of safeguarding its borders while seeking international cooperation to address the root causes of the problem in Afghanistan. The success of these efforts will be vital in ensuring the safety and security of the region.
