American-made weapons, including M4 Carbines, have been recovered from various encounters with security forces in Jammu Kashmir.
Officials suggest that these weapons, reportedly supplied from Afghanistan to Pakistan, are reaching militant groups in the region, according to a report by Daily Excelsior.
The security grid indicates a flow of weapons from Afghanistan to Pakistan, which then reach militants in Jammu and Kashmir. Official data shows a notable increase in the recovery of weapons, including AK-series firearms, since 2021.
Recent incidents have seen militants using American-made M4 carbine assault rifles in attacks in areas such as Badnoti near Machedi, Doda, Poonch, and Rajouri. These weapons are believed to be among those abandoned by the US Army following its 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, now used by militants targeting civilians and security forces.
Intelligence received by Central Intelligence Agencies last year linked logistics, arms, and ammunition used in the Poonch attack, which resulted in the deaths of five RR jawans, to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Local police investigations also suggest that bullets used in the attack originated from Afghanistan, left behind by US forces.
In December 2022, police in Jammu seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including seven AK-47 rifles, one US-made M4 rifle, three pistols, and grenades.
This discovery occurred during an operation targeting four terrorists planning an attack on security forces.
Security agencies have long warned that weapons left behind by the US Army in Afghanistan could potentially find their way to Jammu and Kashmir via Pakistan, exacerbating regional security challenges.
In response to a recent militant attack in Doda that claimed the lives of four Army soldiers, Director General of Police RR Swain vowed a robust response.
In a televised interview, he stated, “Every single policeman of J&K Police will fight shoulder to shoulder and avenge; we will make sure the enemies pay a heavy price.”