Washington’s weapons, Pakistan’s problems

In the aftermath of the withdrawal of the US and Nato forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, a significant security concern has emerged for Pakistan. Large stockpiles of military-grade weaponry, inadvertently left behind by the departing international forces, have now come into the possession of non-state actors and militant groups.

This strategic oversight has not only emboldened insurgents within Afghanistan but has also begun to pose a direct threat to Pakistan's sovereignty. The ramifications of this negligence are evident through an increase in cross-border conflicts, particularly at the Torkham border, where recent skirmishes between Pakistani and Afghan forces escalated tensions in the region.

The armaments that were left behind by the US and Nato forces were originally intended to strengthen the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan security forces. However, following the rapid takeover of Kabul by the Taliban, these weapons fell into their hands and subsequently into the possession of various militant factions operating within the area. This arsenal consists of advanced rifles, night-vision equipment, rocket launchers, armoured vehicles and even sophisticated drones, all of which are being used to destabilise border regions and target Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Pakistan has consistently voiced concerns regarding the unchecked proliferation of these advanced armaments, as they have become critical for cross-border militant operations. Intelligence assessments indicate that numerous weapons are being used by terrorist groups implicated in attacks on Pakistani military installations, border outposts and civilian targets. The country’s security apparatus is now grappling with the unintended consequences of the expedited US/Nato withdrawal since these weapons have exacerbated hostilities along the porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

As the Torkham border reopens after a 25-day conflict which started over a dispute over border construction, let’s look at the issue in a deeper dive. The tensions at the Torkham border crossing were a direct outcome of the deteriorating security situation and the unchecked proliferation of advanced weaponry into the hands of militant groups. Both Pakistani and Afghan forces accused one another of instigating hostilities, and repeated diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation proved unsuccessful.

Torkham serves as a crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, essential for trade and movement between the two countries. During this most recent conflict, both sides engaged in heavy exchanges of fire, resulting in considerable casualties and damage to critical infrastructure. These clashes have only generated an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, impacting not only security personnel but also civilians, traders and travellers.

The unregulated flow of abandoned weapons has notably contributed to the alarming increase in terrorist activities within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Militant organisations, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have leveraged these weapons to carry out deadly attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan ranks second worldwide in terms of the impact of militant violence, following Burkina Faso and preceding Syria. The index further indicates that the TTP, a proscribed organisation that has been conducting a violent campaign against the state and its citizens, is among the four deadliest terrorist groups globally. In contrast to 517 terrorist attacks recorded in 2023, a total of 1,099 incidents occurred the previous year, with approximately half attributed to the TTP. The findings of the index also reveal that KP and Balochistan are the regions most severely affected, experiencing 96 per cent of these attacks.

The recent surge in assaults has intensified security concerns, prompting an increased military presence and heightened counterterrorism initiatives in the province. Reports suggest that these terrorist factions are now better equipped than ever, presenting a formidable challenge to Pakistan's security apparatus. The influx of high-grade military weaponry has enabled them to execute sophisticated and well-coordinated terrorist attacks on Pakistan, resulting in a rise in casualties and widespread destruction.

The conflict in Torkham disrupted trade routes, led to inflationary pressures, and caused shortages of vital goods on both sides of the border. Given the dependence of border communities on trade, the economic stranglehold resulting from such conflicts poses a significant risk of deepening poverty and unrest in an already precarious region. For Pakistan, this situation presented a dual challenge: managing the immediate crisis at Torkham while simultaneously addressing the broader security implications of the abandoned US and Nato weaponry in Afghanistan.

The unregulated circulation of these advanced arms among insurgent groups represents a long-term threat to Pakistan's internal stability and regional security, particularly emboldening factions such as the TTP, which has intensified its attacks on both Pakistani security personnel and civilian populations. Islamabad has consistently urged the international community, particularly the US and its Nato allies, to address the security vacuum resulting from their abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, these concerns have largely gone unrecognised, leaving Pakistan to contend with well-armed militant factions operating along its western border.

While military responses may offer temporary deterrence, a sustainable resolution can only be realised through dialogue and strategic cooperation. In a recent development, US President Donald Trump extended gratitude to Pakistan for its assistance in the apprehension of a high-profile terrorist. This gesture of diplomatic goodwill presents a vital opportunity for Pakistan to seek reciprocal support from the US in addressing the increasing wave of terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, particularly in bolstering counterterrorism intelligence-sharing, enhancing border security measures and securing regional stability through multilateral diplomatic engagements and sustained cooperation.

Islamabad must leverage its cooperative relationship with Washington to advocate for intelligence sharing, counterterrorism assistance, and stringent measures to prevent the flow of advanced weaponry into the hands of militants. As Pakistan confronts escalating security challenges, it is imperative to engage actively with the US in addressing the threats posed by terrorist factions operating along the Afghan border. Strengthening diplomatic relations and securing strategic backing from Washington may prove critical in alleviating the burgeoning crisis.

Pakistan called for high-level discussions with Afghan authorities to establish border security protocols and regulate cross-border trade to mitigate further economic losses. As a result, the border has now reopened. But there is an immediate necessity for international oversight and accountability regarding the abandoned US and Nato weapons in Afghanistan. The uncontrolled proliferation of these arms has already resulted in heightened terrorist activity in the region, and if not adequately addressed, it poses a significant risk of further destabilising South Asia.

The aspirations for Pakistan’s economic revitalisation and national cohesion are at risk of being undermined if we do not adequately address the gravity of the current terrorist threat. We need an effective counterterrorism strategy that integrates input from civil and military agencies, legislators and independent experts — a strategy that encompasses both tactical operations and long-term objectives. Collaboration with international partners is also crucial.

The writer is a trade facilitation expert working with the federal government of Pakistan.