Pakistani airstrikes target command of Taliban leader Hibatullah's special forces in Kandahar

Local residents reported that Pakistani aircraft bombed the command of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada's special forces unit near the 13th district of Kandahar city on Saturday night (23 Hoot). The explosion was very loud and could be heard in distant areas of the city.

A second attack targeted a Taliban center near the Einomina settlement in the 11th district of Kandahar city, according to sources.

Some Taliban sources said a "first-degree recall" order was issued to all Taliban forces in Kandahar following the airstrikes.

The unit, known as the "Umri Unit," is commanded by Mullah Abdul Ahad, known as "Talib Mullah," a close associate of Hibatullah. It is based at "Mullah Sahib Sarai," the former house of late Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, located at the foot of Mianko mountain in northern Kandahar. The headquarters is about five kilometers from Hibatullah's residence.

Around 1,200 personnel in the unit are dedicated to Hibatullah's security. It has branches in provinces including Kabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Logar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Panjshir and Nimroz. Sources said the unit is better equipped than other Taliban forces, with advanced weapons including equipment from the former government's Unit 03 and U.S. leftovers. Taliban sources noted that all military and advanced equipment from Unit 03 was handed over to the unit after the Taliban's return to power.

The unit also leads some special operations against ISIS-K, according to sources.

Separately, the Taliban's Supreme Court announced that 21 people were flogged in Kabul on Saturday. They received 10 to 39 lashes and prison terms from seven months to four years and three months for selling and smuggling narcotics, alcoholic beverages and psychotropic drugs such as Zikap and Tablit Ka.