A recent report by the U.S. publication Geopolitics has highlighted a growing security concern for the region: modern U.S.-supplied weapons abandoned in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces are now being used by terrorist groups, posing a serious threat to regional stability.
According to the report, terrorist networks operating under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban are increasingly deploying these advanced weapons to conduct attacks in neighboring countries. Evidence continues to emerge linking these weapons to recent acts of terrorism, demonstrating their operational use beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
The report specifically notes that Pakistan-based proscribed organization, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by the journal as Fitna al-Khawarij, has been using these U.S.-origin weapons to target Pakistani security forces and civilians. Investigations indicate that recent terrorist incidents in multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa involved the use of sophisticated arms that were previously in Taliban custody in Afghanistan.
Security analysts emphasize that the proliferation of such weapons not only increases the threat to Pakistan but also exacerbates instability across the entire region. The presence of modern arms in the hands of non-state actors significantly complicates counter-terrorism efforts and raises urgent concerns for policymakers and regional security stakeholders.
The findings of this report underline the critical need for coordinated regional strategies to monitor, track, and neutralize the spread of abandoned weaponry from conflict zones. Experts warn that without effective intervention, these weapons will continue to empower terrorist networks, posing ongoing risks to civilian populations and national security across South and Central Asia.
The Geopolitics report serves as a timely reminder of the long-term implications of military withdrawals and the unintended consequences of advanced arms proliferation in volatile regions.
