ISLAMABAD: After the United States (US) pulled out its forces from Afghanistan, it left behind weapons and military equipment worth $7 billion, which later boosted the military capabilities of the banned outfit Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups.
According to a report released by Radio Free Europe, the US left behind weapons and equipment, including communications gear, firearms, and even armoured vehicles, which gave the terrorists a “vast war chest.”
Pakistan always wished not to indulge in the blame game with Afghanistan and had repeatedly stressed the IAG to establish its writ in the country.
The RFERL report rejected the Afghan government’s claims that TTP was not using Afghan soil against Pakistan as the presence of it, along with other terrorist groups, such as ISKP, was an undeniable reality.
The report added that using US weapons and military equipment, both the TTP and Baloch separatist outfits were waging insurgencies against the state of Pakistan, which has witnessed an increase in violence over the past two years.
United States Institute of Peace’s senior analyst Asfandyar Mir said that these weapons have added to the lethality of such outfits.
Experts say armed outfits have obtained advanced US weapons and equipment such as M16 machine guns, M4 assault rifles, night-vision goggles, and military communication gear.
A Sweden-based researcher Abdul Sayed, who closely monitors the TTP, said that the group’s access to sophisticated weapons had had a “terrifying” impact on Pakistan.
According to a report by the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, a think tank in Islamabad, the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan increased by 27% last year compared to 2021. terrorists killed at least 419 people and injured 734 in 262 terrorist attacks last year.
Afghan government rejects claims about TTP
However, the Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected claims that it has supplied TTP fighters with US weapons and military equipment.
If the weapons are being smuggled, they are far fewer in numbers and not of much concern; the report quoted him say saying.
