SOURCE: AFI
In a development that has stirred controversy and raised eyebrows in regional geopolitics, Pakistani ISI-backed handles on the social media platform X have claimed that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) has been supplying the Afghan Taliban with Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs). Specifically, these allegations point to the transfer of 9M113 Konkurs missiles, originally of Russian design but also manufactured in India.
These claims come on the heels of reports from Indian sources in October 2024, which acknowledged the transfer of such weaponry. The move has been labeled by various analysts as a potentially destabilizing act in the already volatile South Asian region. The Konkurs missile, known for its effectiveness against armored vehicles, could significantly alter the balance of power if indeed used in active combat scenarios.
According to the allegations spread on X, the motive behind this supply was purportedly to equip the Afghan Taliban with the means to target Pakistani border posts. This accusation aligns with long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly over issues of cross-border terrorism and influence in Afghanistan. The claim suggests that Afghanistan had formally requested India for these ATGMs last year, indicating a strategic move to counter Pakistani military positions along their contentious border.
However, these allegations should be approached with caution. The information primarily stems from social media posts known to be associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an agency often accused of manipulating narratives to serve national interests. The veracity of such claims requires thorough investigation, as they could be part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting India’s foreign policy or exacerbating regional conflicts.
The geopolitical implications of such a transfer, if true, are multifaceted. On one hand, it could be seen as India attempting to bolster its strategic depth in Afghanistan, a country where India has significant investments and interests in peace and stability. On the other hand, supplying arms to non-state actors like the Taliban could backfire, potentially fostering further instability or even direct confrontations at the Afghan-Pakistani border.
India has historically maintained a delicate balance in its Afghanistan policy, focusing on development aid, humanitarian assistance, and diplomacy. Reports suggesting military aid to the Taliban contradict this public stance, and thus, these allegations have sparked a debate on the integrity of India’s foreign policy in the region.