Modern US-made weapons left behind in Afghanistan following the American withdrawal are reportedly being used in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, raising serious regional security concerns.
A CNN report highlights that these arms now pose a significant threat not only to Pakistan but also to Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. Originally supplied to bolster the Afghan military’s capabilities, large quantities were abandoned during the US exit.
John Sopko, former head of the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), estimated that around 300,000 advanced US weapons remained in Afghanistan at the time of withdrawal. CNN notes that terrorist groups acquiring these weapons have intensified and expanded their attacks, particularly alarming Pakistan, Iran, and China.
The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) are reportedly using these modern US-made rifles, machine guns, and sniper weapons. Among the arms in use are M-4 and M-16 rifles, M-249 machine guns, Remington sniper rifles, and night vision devices. CNN notes that the US officially designated the BLA as a terrorist organization in August 2025.
Pakistani security forces showed CNN reporters the US-marked weapons recovered from terrorists. Investigations indicate that the same advanced arms were used in several attacks in South Waziristan and Balochistan.
Source: Dunya News
