Pakistani Aircraft Bomb Command Center of Mullah Hibatullah's Omari Unit Near Kandahar

Pakistani aircraft bombed the command center of Mullah Hibatullah's special "Omari Unit" near the 13th district of Kandahar city on Saturday night (23 Hoot), sources said. Local residents reported intense explosions audible across distant areas of the city. A subsequent attack targeted a Taliban center near the Ainomina settlement in Kandahar's 11th district.

The 7,000-strong Omari Unit, commanded by Mullah Abdul Ahad known as "Talib Mawlawi," is stationed north of Kandahar city at the base of Mianko mountain in "Mullah Sahib Sarai," the former house of Mullah Mohammad Omar. About 1,200 members are dedicated to securing Mullah Hibatullah, whose residence is roughly five kilometers away.

Sources said the unit is better equipped than other Taliban forces, with advanced weapons including equipment from the former government's unit 03, handed over after the Taliban's return to power. Taliban sources noted that such equipment surpasses that in some corps. The unit has branches across provinces including Kabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Logar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Panjshir and Nimroz, and leads operations against ISIS.

The unit receives more facilities than Taliban ministries of defense and interior, though budget details are limited. Former members of unit 03 said U.S. intelligence's South Asia branch was previously present at the site during the republic era.

Taliban sources reported that a "first-degree recall" order was issued to all Taliban forces in Kandahar following the attack.