Foreign weapons smuggled from Afghanistan resurface in Pakistan
Pakistan
The Pakistan Army has been fighting the war against terrorism for the past two decades.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The use of foreign weapons brought from Afghanistan on Pakistani soil has once again come to light.
The Pakistan Army has been fighting the war against terrorism for the past two decades.
Recently, there has been a rise in terrorist incidents in Pakistan originating from Afghan territory.
Terrorists have access to weapons left behind by the United States in Afghanistan, which has severely impacted regional security.
According to details of recent operations, on March 4, 2025, the terrorist group Fitna al-Khawarij attempted an attack on Bannu Cantt, but timely action by security forces foiled their plans. Fearing failure, the attackers rammed two explosives-laden vehicles into the cantonment’s wall.
During the operation, security forces killed 16 terrorists, including 4 suicide bombers. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, including M4 carbines and 40mm VOG-25 projected grenades. These terrorists were involved in attacks on security forces and the killing of innocent civilians.
Earlier, on February 28, 2025, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Ghulam Khan Kali, North Waziristan, targeting a Khawarij hideout. Six terrorists were killed, and weapons such as M24 sniper rifles, M16A4, and M4 guns were recovered.
On February 15, 2025, in two separate clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces eliminated 15 terrorists. An intelligence-based operation in Hathala, Dera Ismail Khan, killed 9 Khawarij, while another operation in Miranshah, North Waziristan, resulted in the death of 6 terrorists. Seized weapons and explosives were linked to attacks on security forces and civilian killings.
On February 1, 2025, security forces killed 11 terrorists and destroyed multiple hideouts in Harnai. The night of January 31 to February 1 saw an operation in Mangocher, Kalat, thwarting a terrorist plan to set up a roadblock, leading to the death of 12 terrorists and the recovery of weapons and explosives.
On January 11, 2025, two intelligence-based operations in Dosali, North Waziristan, killed 6 terrorists and captured 2 others. Another operation in Esham, North Waziristan, resulted in the death of 3 terrorists and injuries to 2 more after intense gunfire.
On December 9, 2024, security forces acted on intelligence in Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, killing 2 terrorists and capturing 1 injured militant. A significant cache of foreign weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered.
On November 10, 2024, security forces killed 10 terrorists in Spinwam, North Waziristan, during an intelligence-based operation. A large stockpile of foreign weapons, ammunition, and explosives was seized.
The smuggling of modern foreign weapons from Afghanistan into Pakistan and the use of these weapons by the TTP against security forces and the public raises serious doubts about the Afghan interim government's claims that its soil is not being used against Pakistan.
The Pentagon reported that the US provided 427,300 combat weapons to Afghan forces, with 300,000 remaining after the US withdrawal. Consequently, terrorism in the region has escalated over the past two years.
Between 2005 and August 2021, the US supplied $18.6 billion worth of equipment to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
Following the US withdrawal, these weapons enabled the TTP to carry out cross-border attacks.
All these facts point to the Afghan interim government not only arming the TTP but also providing a safe corridor for other terrorist organisations.
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