An investigation has revealed that the Taliban has smuggled or sold nearly 500,000 American-made weapons to terrorist groups since seizing control of Afghanistan in 2021.
These weapons, left behind by retreating US forces, are now believed to be in the hands of militant groups, including affiliates of al-Qaeda. The Taliban has reportedly admitted losing track of nearly half of the US military equipment, according to a UN report.
While the Taliban denies any wrongdoing, the BBC cites confirmations from Kandahar-based journalists who say American arms were openly sold in markets before operations went underground.
Pakistan’s security forces have repeatedly recovered these advanced US-made arms during counterterrorism operations, including in attacks on naval bases and raids in Waziristan and Balochistan. Recovered items include M-4 rifles, grenade launchers, and night vision gear.
The weapons flow poses a serious risk to regional stability, with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warning that such proliferation threatens national security. Calls are growing for stricter international monitoring of post-withdrawal Afghanistan.
