The name a homage to the 313 Muslim warriors at the Battle of Badr, the Badri-313, is a special commando unit of the Taliban, credited for playing a vital role in the Taliban’s offensive throughout Afghanistan.
After the taking of Kabul, they can be seen roaming the streets in (ex) US armored Humvees guarding the cities streets. Armed with some of the best tools, they can easily rank among some of the World’s topmost military units.
Carrying US-made M4 rifles, US-style night vision devices, Body armor, tactical knee pads, and tactical radios, they are capable of achieving any objective with relative ease.
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Casting aside the traditional Afghan Taliban look of ‘shalwar kameez,’ they can always be seen fully dressed in tactical outfits ready for deployment at a moment’s notice.
They have been specially trained for special operations such as assault and house storming with complete tactical precision, which could be the primary reason for the ‘Bloodless capture of Kabul.’
"When we talk about special forces it means troops which are specially selected, specially trained & specially equipped for the mission for which they have been raised": Maj Gen VK Datta (R)
'Badri 313' is a rebranded red team of Taliban': @SandeepUnnithan
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— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 18, 2021
However, the question then arises: how was the Taliban able to fund such a highly advanced group of soldiers? The Taliban are not just some rag-tag group of rebels, or at least not anymore. They are among some of the wealthiest and most powerful in the World.
Their annual income is estimated to be around $1.5 billion. According to reports from the UN and NATO, the chief contributors are drug trafficking and opium production, kidnapping and ransom, tax collection, and donations.
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According to the UN, the revenue generated from opium production in 2020 was estimated to be around $460 million. The US itself spent $8 Billion to try and stop it but knowing the US’s history with drugs, especially opium, their true motivation is highly suspect.
However, after the takeover, Taliban have announced that they will not allow the production of narcotics in the country.
According to a report by the CIA in 2008, the Taliban received $106 million in donations, mostly from the Gulf States, as far as donations are concerned.
While the rest of the World never doubted the Taliban’s convictions, they never expected them to have a plan. If these last few days and the emergence of the Badri-313 have proved anything, the Taliban did not just want to take Kabul; they want to keep it.
Sourced from Hindustan Times Youtube channel.