US-Made Weapons Abandoned in Afghanistan Are Boosting Militancy in Pakistan

A recent report reveals that U.S. military equipment left behind after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan is now fuelling armed movements in neighbouring Pakistan. According to Afghan and watchdog sources, billions of dollars’ worth of weapons and gear abandoned by U.S. and allied forces have either been lost, sold or smuggled into illicit markets, leaving their final destinations unaccounted for.

Taliban officials recently admitted that at least half of the stockpile in Afghanistan cannot be traced, raising concerns about the spread of these arms. Investigations suggest that militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al-Qaida affiliates and others have acquired U.S. rifles, night-vision devices and other equipment originally supplied to Afghan forces.

Pakistan has reported a rise in cross-border attacks by better-equipped militants, complicating its internal security situation and highlighting the broader regional impact of unmonitored weapons proliferation from Afghanistan.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the city’s national security law (NSL).