Taliban shipping out Afghan military gear to Pakistan
KABUL, June 27 [Afghanistan Times]: With the U.S.-led forces withdrawing and the Taliban expanding their foothold, fears are mounting that the militants are shipping out what they steal from Afghan security forces to Pakistan, including armored vehicles and huge caches from military depots.
Although the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected the claims, acting Interior Minister Gen. Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal who visited Paktia on Saturday said reliable intelligence suggests that the Taliban are sending some military vehicles to Pakistan through Zabul province.
Mirzakwal said the National Security Council and the Commander-in-Chief have ordered patrols to look for any military gear bound for Pakistan.
This happens against the backdrop of the Taliban’s territorial gains across Afghanistan as they have captured a constellation of district seats, security outposts and military bases.
Speaking at the same event, another official said that some military equipment has been transferred across the Durand Line to Pakistan. “There is evidence and video footage proving that the Taliban are shipping out our military equipment to Pakistan,” said Shamim Khan Katawazai, head of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance.