The chaotic withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the end of a two-decade-long military intervention, but its consequences continue to reverberate far beyond Kabul. The hasty departure of US troops left behind a massive stockpile of advanced weaponry, much of which has fallen into the hands of non-state actors, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan now faces an escalating security crisis as these arms fuel cross-border terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The presence of these weapons in the region is not just a Pakistani concern but a broader threat to regional stability and global security.
As American forces exited Afghanistan, they destroyed some military equipment but left a substantial cache of arms, vehicles, and logistical infrastructure. Despite claims by the Biden administration that no significant weaponry was abandoned, reports suggest that the Taliban acquired a vast array of advanced US arms, including rifles, night-vision goggles, armored vehicles, and even air defense systems. These weapons, in turn, have been systematically transferred to various militant outfits, including the TTP, which has intensified its insurgency against Pakistan.
A report by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) confirmed Pakistan’s concerns, indicating that weapons left behind in Afghanistan have empowered terrorist factions operating in South Asia. The influx of sophisticated arms has significantly bolstered TTP’s operational capabilities, leading to an increase in deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.Since August 2021, Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorism-related incidents, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan. The TTP, emboldened by its newfound access to American-made weapons, has launched multiple cross-border attacks. One of the most alarming incidents occurred in November 2023 when militants infiltrated the Mianwali Training Air Base of the Pakistan Air Force. Reports indicate that the attackers used sophisticated weaponry, likely sourced from the stockpiles left behind in Afghanistan, to target grounded aircraft and infrastructure.
The United States bears undeniable responsibility for the unintended consequences of its withdrawal. While Washington may not have directly supplied these weapons to terrorists, its lack of foresight in securing and retrieving its military assets has turned Afghanistan into an arms depot for non-state actors. The Biden administration’s claims that the abandoned weapons pose no threat to regional security contradict mounting evidence of their use in terrorist operations against Pakistan. Former US President Donald Trump acknowledged this issue, stating that the Biden administration had effectively gifted military equipment to the enemy. He even suggested conditioning aid to Afghanistan on the return of these weapons. However, the Taliban leadership has outright refused to comply with any such demand, further complicating the situation.
The spread of abandoned US arms is not just Pakistan’s problem. The proliferation of these weapons threatens regional stability, with potential spillover effects in Central Asia, Iran, and even beyond. The possibility of these arms being sold on the black market to other extremist factions, including transnational terrorist groups, cannot be ignored. Such an outcome would have grave implications for global security. Pakistan has repeatedly called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to launch a concerted campaign to recover these weapons. While Islamabad continues to engage diplomatically with Kabul, a unilateral approach will not be enough. A multilateral strategy, involving regional powers such as China, Russia, and the Central Asian states, is essential to neutralize this growing threat. One possible avenue is the establishment of an international mechanism under the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) to track and dismantle illicit arms networks operating in Afghanistan. Additionally, Pakistan and its allies must intensify border security measures, including enhanced surveillance and counterinsurgency operations, to prevent the influx of these weapons into its territory.
The interim Afghan government must recognize that allowing militant groups to operate with impunity will have long-term repercussions for Afghanistan’s own security and economic stability. If the Taliban seeks international legitimacy, it must demonstrate a genuine commitment to curbing terrorism and preventing the use of Afghan soil for cross-border violence. Pakistan has extended diplomatic channels to Kabul, urging it to take decisive action against terrorist groups. However, continued inaction will force Islamabad to explore alternative measures, including economic and security-related countermeasures.
The presence of US-made weapons in the hands of the TTP and other militant groups is a ticking time bomb for regional security. The United States cannot simply walk away from the consequences of its withdrawal; it must take responsibility for retrieving these weapons and ensuring they do not further destabilize South Asia. Meanwhile, Pakistan must work with international partners to dismantle the terrorist networks benefiting from this influx of arms. A failure to address this issue will not only exacerbate Pakistan’s security challenges but also pose a broader threat to global peace. The abandoned arsenal in Afghanistan is more than a logistical oversight—it is an ongoing crisis that demands urgent international intervention.