ISLAMABAD: Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, modern American-made weapons left behind are reportedly being used in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, escalating regional security concerns.
A comprehensive CNN report highlights how these weapons now threaten not only Pakistan but also neighboring states of Afghanistan. Initially supplied to equip the Afghan military, the arms were abandoned in massive quantities during the U.S. exit, creating a perilous situation.
John Sopko, the former head of the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), revealed that around 300,000 advanced U.S. weapons were left in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. According to CNN, access to these weapons has enabled terrorist groups to intensify their operations, posing heightened risks for Pakistan, Iran, and China.
The banned groups Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) are reported to be using these sophisticated weapons, including M-4 and M-16 rifles, M-249 machine guns, Remington sniper rifles, and night vision technology. The U.S. officially designated the BLA as a terrorist organization in August 2025, raising further alarm over their firepower.
Pakistani security forces have showcased U.S.-marked weapons seized from militants to CNN reporters. Investigations suggest these arms have been utilized in numerous attacks across South Waziristan and Balochistan, demonstrating the grave implications of such weaponry falling into extremist hands.
