US weapons used in train hijacking: WP
A US-made rifle, originally shipped to Afghanistan over seven years ago for Afghan security forces, surfaced at the site of a train hijacking in Pakistan last month, lending weight to claims that American weapons left behind in Afghanistan are now being used in terrorist activities.
According to a US media report published Monday, a Colt M4A1 carbine rifle was among billions of dollars' worth of US military equipment provided to Afghan forces, much of which was abandoned following the American troop withdrawal in 2021.
The Washington Post report said that many of these leftover weapons, including the Colt rifle, have ended up across the border in Pakistan, now in the hands of terrorists. The incident highlights how the consequences of America's failed war continue to echo years after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.
On March 11, the Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by militants belonging to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) after a series of explosions on the railway track in a remote, rugged area in Balochistan.
A 30-hour siege followed. However, Pakistani security forces successfully carried out a daring operation to rescue over 300 passengers on board. A total of 33 militants, including suicide bombers, were killed during the operation.
Following the incident, Pakistani officials displayed M-16 rifles, night vision devices, and other advanced weapons recovered from the attackers. Officials clearly stated that the recovered weapons were American-made and had been left behind in Afghanistan by US forces.
The newspaper, citing local officials, noted that US-supplied assault rifles, machine guns and night-vision goggles are now being used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists and other militant groups to carry out attacks across Pakistan.
Pakistani authorities granted The Washington Post access to dozens of weapons seized from captured or killed militants, the report added. Pakistan has expressed deep concerns over the presence of advanced US weapons in the hands of terrorists.
Recently, US President Donald Trump threatened to permanently cut suspended aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returned the US-supplied military equipment. However, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the weapons now belonged to Afghanistan.
A United Nations report last year concluded that Afghan Taliban "rank and file" directly supply the group with weapons and equipment. Pakistani officials are pinning their hopes on the Trump administration, stressing that the US should do something about these weapons.
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‘Ball of Confusion'
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Political parties present their manifestos, ostensibly written by expert scriptwriters, and pledge that they would conscientiously adhere to the contents of their manifesto and, once elected, there will be deliverance for the masses. Election win, government sworn in, promises renewed, and then the manifesto is relegated to the proverbial dustbin. Citizens are left to the mercy of these parties and despite biting the bullet, they still remain captive of the party. The next line states, Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher/And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher. The pulpit symbolizes the authority and centrality of the religious authority or the Imam of the Masjid. Traditionally, those who sat and orated from the pulpit enlightened the congregation with verses from the Holy Book and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions on various subjects including human values, tolerance, public welfare, and charity for noble causes, etc. Today, many preachers and leaders of religio-political parties have made a paradigm shift to an alarming and prejudiced agenda. Many of the government schools have teachers who are unfortunately non-qualified and even schools are a mess. What knowledge would they impart to students? Moreover, 23 million children are out of school for different reasons, primarily because their parents cannot afford the fees, because parents make them work instead of studying, and because there are no schools close proximity to their abodes. The next line highlights Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation. In areas where there is a patriarchal ecosystem, the women are deprived of their rights, including vote franchise, taboos on them working outside their homes, and even from participating at events. There are a widespread bunch of people, individually or in groups, who are determined to create horrible issues that negatively impact on the national security and territorial integrity of the motherland. Creating mischief requires funds, and external and internal disruptors are always there to provide finances and logistical support to achieve their nefarious objectives. Demonstrations are routine all over the country. Roadblocks, sit-ins, marches, and protests, for whatever reasons have made lives miserable for the citizens who may or may not support these demonstrations. Saner elements in the country harp in the notion that there should be national integration of ideas, opinions, and goals. Notwithstanding the kinetic nationalist pride displayed during and after the recent clash with the belligerent neighboring country, there is a growing vacuum in consolidating the people under one umbrella. Pugnacious insolence is more prevalent in many aspects due to the resigned capitulation of many who feel deprived and hence prefer to vent their feelings through various modes of aggravation. Although they may have conceded the fact that they would not gain much, these types of provocation muddle lives everywhere. Humiliation is now a rarity. Pseudo-masochism is the name of the game, whether in business, politics, media, or on the streets. The apology factor has faded away. I am right, you are wrong, is the catchword. The less acceptance of humiliation sensitivity, the better. It will not change. 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