Foreign weapons have become a major threat to Pakistan’s security as terrorists from Afghanistan increasingly use these arms to carry out attacks. For the last two decades, Pakistan has been battling terrorism, but there has been a recent surge in incidents involving foreign weapons.
Terrorists crossing the Pak-Afghan border target both security forces and civilians. It is evident that foreign weapons are easily accessible to these terrorists, causing significant harm to regional security.
Security forces recently conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Mustang district on August 18-19, 2024. During the operation, three BLA terrorists were killed, and three others were injured in a fierce gunfight. These terrorists were responsible for various attacks in the area, including the killing of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Ali in Panjgur on August 12, 2024.
Another operation was carried out in the Sambaza area of Zhob district on May 14, 2024, where three terrorists were killed. A large cache of foreign weapons and explosives was recovered from the scene.
Security forces have been actively pursuing terrorists in the general area of Zhob district along the Pak-Afghan border since April 21, 2024. On April 29, 2024, an intelligence-based operation in Khyber district led to the elimination of four terrorists, including leaders Qari Wajid alias Qari Briyal and Raziq. Their hideouts were destroyed, and a significant quantity of foreign arms and explosives was seized.
Earlier, on April 24-25, 2024, another operation in Khyber district resulted in the killing of three terrorists, including leaders Sohail alias Azmato and Haji Gul alias Zarqawi. Once again, foreign weapons were found with the deceased.
On the night of April 22-23, 2024, in Pashin district, three terrorists were killed, and one was arrested in an injured state. The arrested terrorist was identified as an Afghan national. Security forces recovered a substantial amount of foreign arms, hand grenades, and explosives during this operation.
A similar intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan on April 6, 2024, resulted in the death of two terrorists. The recovered weapons, including hand grenades, were foreign-made.
On March 20, 2024, BLA terrorists attempted a cowardly attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. The terrorists used foreign weapons, which were later recovered by security forces. Among the seized arms were grenade launchers and hand grenades.
An operation in North Waziristan on January 29, 2024, led to the killing of terrorist Nik Manullah. The weapon recovered was a foreign-made M-Fu carbine, among other arms.
On January 22, 2024, seven terrorists were killed in Sambaza, Zhob district. Foreign weapons, including hand grenades, were found on the terrorists.
Security forces thwarted an infiltration attempt on January 19, 2024, at Bachi Sar, Miran Shah district. Two Afghan terrorists were killed, and foreign-made weapons were recovered.
On December 31, 2023, security forces killed three terrorists who crossed the Pakistan-Afghan border in Bajaur district. Two days earlier, on December 29, 2023, in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, five terrorists, including commander Rahzeeb Khore, were killed. Foreign arms were again found.
In several attacks across Pakistan, including those on FC camps in Nushki and Panjgur in February 2022, the Zhob Garrison on July 12, 2023, and army check posts in Chitral on September 6, 2023, foreign weapons have been used.
The Mianwali Airbase attack and the Daraban incident in Dera Ismail Khan also involved foreign arms, including night vision goggles and American rifles.
On December 13, 2023, customs and security forces recovered modern foreign weapons, including M4 rifles and grenades, hidden in sacks of onions from a vehicle entering Pakistan from Afghanistan.
The ongoing smuggling of modern foreign weapons from Afghanistan and their use by TTP against Pakistani security forces and civilians raise serious concerns. The Afghan Interim Government’s claims that its land will not be used against Pakistan are now in question.
According to Eurasian Times, TTP terrorists in Pakistan frequently use foreign-made weapons. The Pentagon reported that the United States provided $18.6 billion in equipment to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces between 2005 and August 2021. After the US withdrawal, these weapons have been used by TTP to carry out cross-border attacks.
All evidence suggests that the Afghan regime is not only arming the TTP but also offering sanctuary to other terrorist organizations.
