KABUL, March 20: US-made Stinger missiles will pose a threat to military and commercial aircraft across the region if they fall into the hands of Taliban rebels in Afghanistan, the US-led coalition said on Monday.

Washington supplied a large number of shoulder-fired Stingers to Afghans fighting the Soviet occupation in the 1980s and dozens are still thought to be missing.

There was no evidence to support media reports that the Taliban had obtained some of the heat-seeking missiles but coalition forces were continuously monitoring the situation, spokesman Colonel Jim Yonts said.

“Stinger missiles are a dangerous threat. It’s a worry to all Afghans, Pakistanis and the coalition,” Col Yonts told reporters in Kabul.

“Stinger missiles can be used not only against coalition aircraft but against civilians flying in the area, commercial aircraft coming in and out,” he added.—AFP