Islamabad – Taliban forms 1000-member Rapid Force in the north under the pretext of border security, but its real purpose is to suppress growing local hatred and rebellion. According to the HTN source, the decision was taken in a crucial meeting held on 3–4 December 2025 in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province.
The meeting was attended by Taliban governors and senior security officials from northwestern and northern provinces. Participants included Mullah Shirin (in charge of the Kandahar Secretariat and Governor of Kandahar), Mullah Yusuf Wafa (Governor of Balkh), and governors, border military commanders, intelligence chiefs, and police chiefs from the northern provinces of Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, as well as the western provinces of Herat, Badghis, Ghor, and Farah. The chief judge of Balkh province also attended the meeting.
Leadership Proposals and Approval
During the meeting, Governor Balkh, Mullah Yusuf Wafa, proposed the creation of a separate force exclusively for the north. Mullah Shirin assured the gathering that he had already obtained approval from Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada for funds, weapons, and other requirements. The spokesman for the Balkh governor confirmed that the force is indeed being formed.
Its units will be stationed in various border districts and will be able to reach the borders immediately when required. The force will be equipped with all types of light and heavy weapons, and its commander will have the authority to make independent decisions in any situation. However, the force will also be bound to respond to calls from the border commander, governor, or police chief. The appointment of the force commander will be made soon by Mullah Hibatullah himself, while Governor Balkh Mullah Yusuf Wafa will initially oversee its formation.
Real Motive: Suppression of Rising Rebellion and Exclusionary Policy
According to the HTN source, the real motive behind this move is not border security only as a pretext. In reality, a separate force is being prepared to crush the rising rebellion in the north against Pashtun (especially Kandahari) domination. No one from the north will be recruited into this force. Notably, not a single representative from the north was present among the responsible officials attending the meeting. Interestingly, since governors, police chiefs, and intelligence (GDI) chiefs in all provinces are Pashtun, they were invited, but only the chief judge of Balkh province attended because chief judges in other provinces are non-Pashtun.
In 2024, the Taliban disarmed all non-Pashtun Taliban members and decided that no non-Pashtun Taliban would be appointed as head of any armed force or unit with weapons and operational authority. Following this decision, non-Pashtun Taliban were transferred to the judiciary and other unarmed departments. The source states that since Mullah Hibatullah’s 2024 order, hatred and rebellion have also been growing within Taliban ranks in the north. Public support for the NRF (National Resistance Front) and AFF (Afghanistan Freedom Front) has significantly increased. This new force is being created to handle that situation.
Risk of Fuelling Rebellion and Regional Instability
Mullah Hibatullah’s persistent efforts to impose Pashtun (particularly Kandahari) dominance in the north are already breeding deep resentment. If the force meant to suppress local populations consists exclusively of Pashtuns, especially Kandaharis, it will only fuel the rebellion further. There is also a risk that this northern force could be used against Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from Afghan soil.
This mirrors the “reform commission” force created in April 2025 in provinces bordering Pakistan, ostensibly to curb the TTP, with former Khost governor Mullah Qasim Khalid recently appointed as its head. However, instead of stopping TTP, the said force has facilitated it. The same pattern appears to be repeated in the north.
