On Wednesday, 9 April, The News International reported that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has gained access to FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles—sophisticated weaponry manufactured in the United States.
This revelation follows the circulation of a video released by the TTP last year in March, showing its fighters undergoing training with what appears to be American military-grade equipment. In the footage, militants can be seen handling the Javelin missile system, a weapon valued at roughly £160,000 and engineered to penetrate tanks and fortified structures. The video indicates a growing level of expertise in the use of such high-end armaments.
The Javelin is a shoulder-fired, “fire-and-forget” missile that can engage armoured vehicles, buildings, bunkers, and even low-flying aircraft. Once fired, it autonomously tracks and destroys its target, making it a highly effective battlefield asset. US forces have often praised its precision and minimal operator risk.
Reports of advanced Western weapons falling into the hands of militants have persisted since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan in August 2021. At that time, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that over 100 Javelin missiles had ended up with the Taliban following the hasty US withdrawal.
A senior Pakistani security official, speaking to The News International, stated that while there is currently no verified presence of Javelin missiles within Pakistan, the possibility of their deployment by militants remains a serious concern. The official attributed this threat to the Afghan Taliban’s inability—or unwillingness—to secure leftover US arms.
Experts warn that the TTP’s access to such high-grade weaponry could significantly elevate the threat to Pakistan’s security infrastructure, particularly military installations and border fortifications along the frontier with Afghanistan. The presence of Javelins in militant hands, they argue, could shift the dynamics of regional militancy and heighten the risk of sophisticated attacks.
The report coincides with a recent phone conversation between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both sides acknowledged the urgency of addressing the unmonitored stockpiles of US military equipment now scattered across Afghanistan.
Former US President Donald Trump has also weighed in, demanding the retrieval of American hardware left behind. Pakistan has publicly backed this stance, citing the potential misuse of such weapons by groups operating in the region.
