File photo 

By The South Asia Times

QUETTA, Pakistan -  In the aftermath of the ongoing major military operation against the terrorist groups, Pakistani security forces have recovered a significant arsenal of weapons, many bearing the markings of American and Israeli manufacturers, according to officials.

The discovery has endorsed the long-standing Pakistani claim that its regional rival, India, is fueling the insurgency in Balochistan by funneling sophisticated arms through Afghanistan.

The cache was seized following days of intense clashes after terrorists from the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched coordinated attacks on security installations last Saturday.

The military says nearly 200 BLA terrorists were killed in the large-scale counter-terrorism operations involving the army, paramilitary Frontier Corps, and police in remote areas of the volatile province.

"An initial examination of the recovered weaponry indicates origins from the United States," a senior security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

"The sophistication and volume suggest a systematic, state-sponsored supply chain, not informal smuggling."

The latest development comes after Israeli historian Dr. Haim Bresheeth Zabner recently said that Israel is supporting Baloch militant groups to destabilize Pakistan. Israel and India are close regional allies, while New Delhi has also expanded its strategic engagement with the Afghan Taliban

- Transnational echoes of a local conflict

Regionally, the weapon origins validate Pakistan’s persistent diplomatic claims. Islamabad has consistently alleged that India's intelligence agency, the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), is supporting Baloch insurgent groups from Afghan territory.

The recovery of American-made small arms, in particular, provides tangible evidence that weapons left by the US forces in Afghanistan are now being used by terrorist groups to destabilize the region.

The suspected routing through Afghanistan has also caught the attention of US lawmakers and officials. CNN’s recent reporting, which showed videos of US-origin weapons recovered from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist group, -- according to Pakistani officials, most of whose militants are based in Afghanistan, --  has already prompted questions in Washington about how American arms left behind during the 2021 withdrawal from Kabul are circulating among militant factions.

"The presence of US-manufactured weapons in the hands of groups like the TTP and now the BLA points to a serious diversion problem from Afghan stockpiles," said Abdul Saboo, a senior political and defense analyst.

"It creates a dangerous regional proliferation issue and complicates counter-terrorism cooperation."

The Biden administration has stated it is committed to preventing the misuse of US equipment and is working with regional partners to monitor weapons trafficking.

Pakistani security officials have reaffirmed their commitment to "neutralize all remaining militants, protect civilians, and restore enduring stability" in Balochistan.

The recovery serves as a stark reminder that the long and porous Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains a critical and volatile flashpoint, with the potential to draw in major global powers. Analysts viewed that the international community must support Islamabad in securing this over 2,500 km border.