Trafficking of Military Equipment Abroad Prevented: MoD

Officials at the Ministry of Defense said that they have prevented the trafficking of military equipment and weapons abroad over the last year. 

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, Enayatullah Khwarizmi, said that dozens of people were arrested on charges of trafficking the military equipment and weapons to neighboring countries.

“We have recently received information from the 203 Mansour corps in Paktia, where more than 1,000 weapons were found by intelligence,” he said.

Khwarazmi didn’t provide details about the exact figures but said that they have recently prevented trafficking of military equipment in Paktia province.

“The trafficking of weapons and military equipment from Afghanistan to neighboring countries is first of all damaging the Taliban government because the Taliban cannot provide these weapons and ammunition or purchase it from other countries,” said Asadullah Nadim, a political analyst.

Khwarazmi said that a lot of military equipment, including 60 choppers, have been repaired by the maintenance of the Defense Ministry.

“We have so far repaired more than 60 aircraft with our maintenance and engineers. There have been no foreign engineers or assistance,” he said.

This comes as military veterans said the protection of military equipment is important for the country’s future.

“Regarding reconstruction, the upgrading and serious maintenance of the military equipment is vitally essential because in war the weapons create victory for an officer or a soldier,” said Mohammad Mateen Mohammad Khail, a military veteran.

After the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense in a report to US congress said that $7.12 billion worth of military equipment was in Afghanistan.