Pakistani officials are warning that U.S. military equipment left behind during the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan is now in the hands of a militant group that is threatening Pakistan. The high-tech munition was abandoned by the U.S. in order to get troops out of the region quickly.
Pakistan Interim Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar expressed serious concern over the firepower, helicopters, guns, ammunition and other military equipment now belonging to terrorists associated with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
TTP is closely linked to al-Qaida and the Afghan Taliban, which overtook Afghanistan’s government following the United States’ departure.
It is unclear how much high-tech weaponry was left behind during the withdrawal, however U.S. defense officials have confirmed it was a “significant” amount.
The Pakistani government officials who spoke to The Associated Press say the TTP’s threat to the region has increased significantly since gaining access to modern military equipment. According to their sources, TTP fighters can now target Pakistani troops from a distance because of the new weaponry.
The caretaker prime minister is calling for a plan-to-action to tackle the challenge of U.S. leftover equipment.
It is unknown how the TTP gained control of the U.S. equipment, but the Pakistani Taliban has posted videos online boasting newly found guns with laser and thermal sighting systems
Two security officials told the AP that the Afghan Taliban likely sold the equipment or gifted it to their allies.
This is the latest ramification of the U.S. withdrawal, which is still widely criticized two years later.
Thirteen U.S. service members and over 100 Afghan civilians were killed in Kabul after a deadly bombing at the airport during the early days of the Biden administration.
Pakistan became a key ally of Washington in its war against terror after the 9/11 attacks in the United States.
