US weapons left in Afghanistan boosting militants’ capability, says report

WASHINGTON:

The US journal RealClearDefense has published a detailed review report on American weapons left in Afghanistan, terrorism and Pakistan’s security. According to the report, five years after the US withdrawal, American-made weapons are increasing the capability of terrorists who attack Pakistan.

The report says US military equipment worth more than $7 billion was in Afghanistan when the Taliban regime came to power. More than 300,000 weapons, more than 40,000 military vehicles and 78 aircraft remained part of the arms stockpile after the US withdrawal.

A report by the United Nations Security Council’s monitoring team has pointed out that Taliban commanders have supplied modern weapons to Fitna al-Khawarij. The modern weapons supplied to Fitna al-Khawarij include M24 sniper rifles, M4 rifles fitted with telescopes and M16 rifles fitted with thermal sights.

According to the report, the availability of modern weapons is increasing the operational capability of terrorist organisations. Weapons are reaching terrorists through Taliban commanders and the black market. The serial numbers of 63 weapons recovered from terrorists in Pakistan have established their link to American arms suppliers.