US Arms
The Washington Post has brought global attention to Pakistan’s long-standing concerns about the aftermath of the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, confirming that the country continues to face serious security threats due to the uncontrolled proliferation of US military equipment.
According to a detailed investigative report by the newspaper, a significant cache of American-made arms and gear — abandoned following the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021 — has now ended up in the hands of terrorist organizations operating against Pakistan.
One of the most striking revelations in the report is that weapons used in recent terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, including the deadly assault on the Jaffer Express train, were of American origin.
A rifle recovered from a slain militant bore the iconic Colt logo, and its serial number — W1004340 — clearly identified it as a weapon manufactured in the United States.
The report outlines how these weapons, once intended for use by Afghan security forces, have now filtered into black markets across Pakistan’s border regions.
Militants linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist groups are reportedly using these firearms — ranging from automatic rifles to machine guns — along with high-grade military equipment such as night vision goggles.
The access to such advanced technology has enabled terrorists to conduct nighttime attacks with far greater precision and effectiveness than ever before.
Not only have these weapons boosted the operational capabilities of insurgent groups, but their widespread availability in illegal arms markets is now posing a broader regional security risk.
The Washington Post highlighted that entire caches of these weapons have flooded border provinces and tribal regions, making it alarmingly easy for extremists to acquire them.
In response to these disturbing findings, Pakistan has renewed its calls for international accountability. Islamabad has urged global actors to investigate how such a vast arsenal of US weapons ended up in militant hands and to take firm action against the networks facilitating their transfer and use.
The Post’s exposé validates Pakistan’s repeated warnings to the global community regarding the dangers of leaving sophisticated military hardware in a volatile region.
It paints a grim picture of the long-term fallout from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan — not just for Afghanistan itself, but for its neighbors, particularly Pakistan, which continues to bear the brunt of the resulting insecurity.
