In a troubling development, sophisticated American military equipment left behind during the chaotic 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan has surfaced in militant attacks across Pakistan, including the devastating March 11 bombing of the Jaffar Express train. A recent investigation by The Washington Post reveals that groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are wielding US-origin weapons, raising alarms about regional security and the unintended consequences of America’s exit from Afghanistan.
The Jaffar Express attack, which killed several passengers and injured dozens, involved M16 rifles traced back to US military stockpiles. Pakistani authorities confirmed that serial numbers on two rifles recovered at the scene matched equipment originally supplied to Afghan forces. Beyond rifles, militants are exploiting advanced gear like PVS-14 night-vision devices and thermal optics, giving them a tactical edge in cross-border raids. These weapons, meant to bolster Afghanistan’s security, are now destabilizing its neighbor.
The scale of the abandoned arsenal is staggering. According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), approximately 250,000 firearms and 18,000 night-vision systems were left behind—an inventory rivaling that of the US Marine Corps. This equipment, valued at billions, was abandoned as US forces scrambled to evacuate amid the Taliban’s swift takeover. The oversight has proven costly, with Pakistan bearing the brunt of the fallout.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has voiced “profound concern” over the proliferation of US weapons, warning that their presence threatens national security. In January documents reviewed by investigators, officials detailed how these arms have emboldened militant groups, complicating efforts to curb terrorism. The TTP, long a thorn in Pakistan’s side, has exploited this windfall to intensify its campaign of violence, targeting civilians and infrastructure alike.
The issue has sparked political firestorms in the US. In February, former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration, claiming, “We left billions, tens of billions of dollars’ worth of equipment behind… all the top-of-the-line stuff.” His remarks reignited debate over the withdrawal’s execution, with critics arguing that inadequate planning handed militants a deadly arsenal. Pentagon officials, however, have downplayed the crisis, asserting that recovered weapons represent “a minuscule portion” of the total left behind. This disconnect has frustrated observers, who see the ripple effects of the withdrawal growing harder to ignore.
For Pakistan, the stakes are immediate. The influx of advanced weaponry has strained its counterterrorism efforts, forcing the military to confront better-equipped adversaries. Analysts warn that without international cooperation to track and recover these arms, the region risks further instability. The Jaffar Express bombing serves as a grim reminder of the human toll when military hardware falls into the wrong hands.
As investigations continue, questions linger about accountability and how to prevent similar blunders in future conflicts. For now, Pakistan grapples with a security nightmare fueled by weapons once meant to secure Afghanistan’s future—proof that the consequences of war often outlast the fighting itself.
