In a recent intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district, five terrorists, including TTP commander Rahzeeb Khore, were neutralised.
The operation uncovered a troubling trend: foreign weapons, including M4 Carbines and AK-47s, were recovered, signaling a potential link between Afghanistan and the surge in terrorism in Pakistan.
Use of US-made weapons
Instances of terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil using American weaponry have been on the rise, highlighting the serious security implications.
The Baloch Liberation Army's assault on FC camps, the Zhob Garrison attack, and the recent strike on military checkposts in Chitral all involved the use of American-made weapons by TTP terrorists.
Read here: 566 terrorists eliminated, 5161 apprehended in 2023, says ISPR
On December 13, customs and security forces intercepted a vehicle coming from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Hidden in onion sacks were modern American weapons, including M4 Carbines, American rifles, and grenades.
The discovery raises questions about the Afghan Transitional Government's claims of not using these weapons against neighboring countries.
Pentagon data exposes massive stockpile
According to Pentagon data, the US supplied a staggering 427,300 combat weapons to the Afghan army, with 300,000 remaining at the time of withdrawal.
Additionally, $18.6 billion worth of equipment was provided to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces between 2005 and August 2021. The repercussions of this massive influx of weaponry are evident in the surge of terrorism in the region over the past two years.
The mounting evidence suggests not only the arming of TTP by the Afghan regime but also the provision of safe passage to other terrorist organizations. This raises serious questions about the commitment of the Afghan Transitional Government to regional stability and its role in the escalating security crisis in Pakistan.