The Independent reports American and NATO forces are following up reports that the Taliban have received new battery packs for shoulder-fired Stinger missiles. The new battery packs were allegedly provided by the Pakistani intelligence service:
Western sources say they are not sure whether the supplies, needed to make the US-made missiles operational, were provided by rogue elements within the Pakistani secret service, or approved at a high level.[. . .]
It is believed that the battery packs had been fitted in between 18 and 20 heat-seeking Stingers which can hit targets at around 12,000 feet. They are reported to have been handed over in the Quetta region in Pakistan known to be used by the Taliban to launch attacks in southern Afghanistan.
If true, this would enable the Taliban to attack American and British aircraft in Afghanistan.
Stingers were supplied to the Afghan Mujahedin by the US during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. The missiles proved extremely successful against Soviet helicopters.
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