The Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has asserted that US military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan is now in the possession of militants.
In his statement, Kakar highlighted that this equipment, ranging from night vision goggles to firearms, is turning into a new challenge for Islamabad as it has enhanced the combat capabilities of the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reported AP News on Tuesday.
The TTP, an independent militant group allied with the Afghan Taliban, has intensified attacks on Pakistan’s security forces over recent months. Kakar, however, did not provide any evidence to corroborate his claim.
Two anonymous security officials in Islamabad informed AP News that the TTP either purchased the equipment from the Afghan Taliban or received it as an ally. Recent TTP statements and videos claim they now own, for example, firearms equipped with laser and thermal sighting systems.
While the exact value of the US equipment left behind remains unknown, US defense officials have confirmed its significance. Amid these challenges, Kakar emphasized the need for a “coordinated approach” to address the issue of leftover equipment.
Despite the challenges, Kakar assured that Pakistani security forces will continue their fight against militants to protect their homeland.
Photo by Syed Bilal Javaid on Unsplash
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