US Denies
A U.S. government official has asserted that their weapons were not abandoned in Afghanistan and therefore could not have been employed in the terrorist attack on Mianwali airbase.
During a press briefing, the Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, Vedant Patel, addressed inquiries about reports suggesting that American weapons had been discovered in the possession of terrorists killed in the attack.
Patel extended condolences for the attack but emphatically refuted the notion that American weapons had been utilized in the assault.
“I want to make it abundantly clear: There was no equipment left behind by American forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan,” he stated.
He went on to mention, “I would also like to emphasize that while significant military aid has been temporarily suspended, we have been engaged in a partnership with Pakistan for over 40 years, supporting endeavors related to law enforcement, the rule of law, counternarcotics efforts, and various security initiatives. We continue to place high value on our bilateral relationship.”
There had been reports indicating that a variety of American weapons were used in the attack on Mianwali airbase, resulting in damage to multiple grounded aircraft. Similar reports had also arisen following an attack in Zhob a few months prior.
These reports also alleged that American weapons were openly available for sale in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal.
Earlier, reports on Monday revealed that the terrorists who attacked Mianwali Airbase had used weapons manufactured in the United States.
The weapons recovered from the terrorists killed during the operation are RPG-7s, AK-74s, M-4s, and M-16/A4 rifles.
Furthermore, these reports highlight that American weapons, initially intended for use in Afghanistan, are now openly available for sale following the fall of Kabul.
The US denies the use of American weapons in Mianwali airbase.
Similar instances of American weaponry being found were also documented after an attack on the Zhob cantonment in Balochistan.
The security forces effectively neutralized nine terrorists following the attack on the Pakistan Air Force base in Mianwali on Saturday.
A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations noted that three aircraft were grounded at the facility, and a fuel bowser had sustained minor damage.
Earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base successfully prevented a terrorist attack in the early hours of Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Thanks to the swift and effective response by the security forces, the attack was thwarted, ensuring the safety of personnel and assets at the base.
According to the ISPR, three militants attempting to infiltrate the base were neutralized, while the remaining three were isolated by the troops’ timely and courageous response. Unfortunately, during the attack, three grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser suffered some damage.
The statement also mentioned that a comprehensive joint operation is in its final stages to completely clear the area of any potential threats.
