BADRI 313 BATTALION

The Taliban special forces: Heavily armed fighters with American equipment and commando-style bullet proof vests and 'night vision goggles'

 

Daily Mail 

August 18, 2021

No, those are not US Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi, they are fighters of the Taliban special forces Badri 313 battalion    

 

The unit, previously unveiled by the Taliban in promotional material, are reportedly highly trained and equipped with state-of-the-art military equipment. Where the unit acquired the equipment is unknown, but it appears to be a combination of U.S. military hardware and that use by Afghan forces, likely seized as Western and allied forces withdrew from the country. 

 

Rather than the typical Salwar Kameez and AK-47 slung over the shoulder that has become synonymous with farmer-turned-terrorist Taliban fighters, the 'Badri 313' battalion forces are an altogether different outfit

 

Reports of a Taliban special forces unit patrolling Kabul have begun to emerge from Afghanistan, shattering the stereotypical image held by many of the militant group. Picturd: A still grab from a video purporting to show the Badri 313 special forces unit in training

 

The unit, previously unveiled by the Taliban in promotional material, are reportedly highly trained and equipped with state-of-the-art military equipment. Pictured: A member of the Badri 313 unit holds an assault rifle

 

In videos and images released by the group, the Badri 313 soldiers are seen with military helmets and sunglasses instead of the usual tuban, bullet proof vests over camouflage jackets and trousers instead of the typical robes, and armed with tactical rifles

 

Pictured: Badri 313 soldiers undergo a training exercise in promotional images

 

In videos released by the group, the Badri 313 soldiers are seen with military helmets and sunglasses instead of the usual turban, bullet proof vests over camouflage jackets and trousers instead of the typical robes, and armed with tactical rifles. In addition, the unit appears to be armed with modern sidearms, wearing modern combat boots, and even have night vision goggles - making them difficult to distinguish from any other country's special combat units.