Military weapons worth $7 billion that were left behind by the United States (US) after its exit from Afghanistan are being used by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups for terrorism in Pakistan, claimed a report by Radio Free Europe.
The report said that the US left behind firearms, communications gear and armored vehicles which gave the militants a “vast war chest”.
The Taliban government has rejected claims that it has supplied TTP fighters with US weapons and equipment, however, the report stands contrary to their assertion.
Abdul Sayed, a Sweden-based researcher who tracks the TTP, said the group’s access to sophisticated combat weapons has had a “terrifying” impact, especially on the lesser-equipped police force in Pakistan.
Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.
According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months for terrorism since July 2018.
