Counter terrorism is the main focus of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) as it sets about creating an organised military force. With ample arms and munitions available the first step has been to uniform the force in battle fatigues and arm them with Humvees and automatic arms creating a special force to counter terror.
Initially Taliban has created some special counter terrorist units such as Lashkar-e-Mansoori and Badri 313. These units reportedly are capable of launching suicide type missions unfearful of loss of lives. The Taliban reported that Badri 313 Battalion had secured the presidential palace and other important sites in the city. It was reportedly providing “security” at the Kabul Airport.
Badri 313 Battalion is seen an elite military unit of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The group takes its name from the Battle of Badr, which happened on March 13, 624 AD, when the Prophet Muhammad led a victorious battle with 313 men. Elite Taliban units have been reported as being critical to the taking over of Afghanistan.
The Taliban also has another elite unit known as the Red Unit. These troops are ideologically aligned closely with al-Qaeda and 313 Battalion is known to be close to the Haqqani Network.
Units termed “Army of Badr” first carried out suicide attacks and raids on positions associated with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its allies in 2011.
Deputy Governor of Badakhshan province told media that they have created an exclusive battalion of suicide bombers that will be deployed to the borders of Afghanistan particularly in Badakhshan province as per a report in the Khaama press.
The north eastern province of Badakhshan borders Tajikistan and China.
The deputy governor, Mullah Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi said that the exclusive battalion is named Lashkar-e-Mansoori “Mansoor army” and will be deployed to the borders of the country. Ahmadi has said that the battalion is the same as the one that would conduct suicide attacks targeting the security forces of the previous Afghan government as reported by Khaama Press,“The defeat of the US would not be possible if not for this battalion. These brave men would wear explosive waistcoats and would detonate the US bases in Afghanistan. These are people with literally no fear who devote themselves for the consent of ALLAH.” Said Ahmadi as per the Khaama Press.
Along with the Lashkar-e-Mansoori, Badri313 is another battalion that is known as one of the most equipped and modern military groups that are deployed in Kabul International Airport. Badri313 is also said to be comprised of all suicide bombers.
On conversion from the guerrilla force, Taliban government's "acting chief of staff", Qari Fasihuddin had indicated said that the group is working to form a 'regular' army and the plan to form one will be finalised soon.
A 75-member unit has been trained and graduated at the 203rd Thunder Corps headquarters in south eastern Paktia province as per the Pajhwok News.
The Taliban has demonstrated the first batch of trainees who are reportedly the outcome of some basic military inputs to convert them from a guerrilla to a regular army. The Taliban has already raised special forces in tune with the Red units for carrying out anti terrorist operations, but a conventional force is also proposed and incorporation of existing units of the Afghan Army could be the best option but the Taliban may be reluctant to do so.
Former members of the army, who served in the Republic government, will also be included in the new army and the Taliban will stand against any threat, whether external or internal.
The former servicemen nonetheless state that they are yet to be asked to resume their duties.
While Mullah Yaqoob is the acting defence minister there have been no inputs from is side so far on formation a regular force.
The Taliban in the meanwhile have appointed eight commanders to head the corps as under:-
Mullah Mehrullah Hemad, the commander of Kandahar Corps
Mawlawi Hamdullah, the commander of Kabul Corps
Mawlawi Attaullah Omari, the commander of Mazar Corps
Mawlawi Mohammad Zarif Mozafar, the commander of Herat Corps
Mawlawi Sharafuddin Taqi the commander of Helmand Corps
Mullah Rahmarullah Mohammad the commander of Kunduz Corps
Abod Jana, the commander of Laghman Corps
Qari Mohammad Ayoub, the commander of Paktia corps
Pakistan is likely to guide the Taliban on formation of a counter terrorism rather than a conventional force as this would also be detrimental to the security of that country given a possible threat in the future on the Western border.