Pakistan’s military has warned that advanced weaponry left behind by the United States during its withdrawal from Afghanistan is now being used by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants against Pakistani forces.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Friday, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, revealed that American-made arms and equipment are being recovered from TTP fighters in ongoing security operations.
“Our forces have seized U.S.-origin weapons from militants during recent operations,” he said. “These weapons were left behind in Afghanistan after the U.S. exit and have now found their way into the hands of terrorists.”
According to military estimates, more than $7 billion worth of arms and equipment were abandoned by the U.S. and allied forces. A significant portion of this arsenal, the DG ISPR noted, is now being deployed by the TTP, further intensifying Pakistan’s internal security challenges.
The military spokesperson also highlighted a sharp escalation in militant activity, stating that over 3,000 terrorist attacks have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone in just the last three months. He criticised the provincial governments of both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for failing to maintain adequate law and order amid the rising threat.
Turning his attention to Afghanistan, Major General Chaudhry delivered a strong message to those providing shelter and support to anti-Pakistan militants. “The space for those backing terrorists is rapidly shrinking,” he said. “Such sponsors and facilitators must abandon these policies and hand over the terrorists to Pakistan.”
The remarks underscore Pakistan’s growing frustration with cross-border militancy and the evolving threat landscape shaped by the fallout of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
