The Taliban's special operations unit has been making their presence known in and around Kabul after the militant group seized power.
Known as 'Badri 313', the group can be easily identified with their camouflage uniforms and threatening array of sophisticated weaponry and equipment that was taken from the abandoned US military stockpiles.
Photos of them patrolling neighbourhoods and guarding Kabul airport look ominous and concerning considering how powerful they now are.
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However, eagle-eye viewers on social media have hit back at the perceived might of Badri 313 by pointing out some hilarious fails.
One of the fighters had their helmet on backwards, another had their laces untied and there were questions about the guns they were all holding.
A person on Reddit wrote: "Look at guy in the front middle with red tape on his weapon. He has a belt of 5.56 ammo, likely for a .249, wrapped around his handguard! It's obvious that these guys have no idea of what they are doing. They just picked this s**t up and posed for a photo."
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Another added: "Boot laces hanging out. Knees pointing every which way. It's like the recruit depot bus just let everyone loose in the supply depot and said 'good, you're trained'."
A third noted: "One dude's helmet is on backwards... one dude was a belt of ammo on his non-belt-fed gun... they're all wearing their ear protection OVER the helmets so they can fall off easily... only 1 of them is wearing their vest correctly and have their vitals actually protected...just ooof all around."
While these little mishaps are amusing for people outside Afghanistan, units like Badri 313 have been 'vital' in the overthrow of the government.
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Matt Henman from the Janes defence consultancy told AFP: "[The group] likely represents some of the best trained and equipped fighters within the Taliban more broadly, although as you would expect there is a degree of sensationalising in propaganda coverage of the unit by the group."
An anonymous Western weapons expert also told the news organisation: "They are more effective than normal Taliban and certainly more than standard Afghan national army troops from a couple of weeks ago."
France24 claims the unit's name comes from the Battle of Badr, which happened 1,400 years ago. The story goes that the Prophet Mohammad killed his enemies with just 313 soldiers, which is a very specific number.
However, the unit that is seen in 2021 could number in the thousands.
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The gear seen in the pictures circulating on social media suggest they not only have access to personal equipment like night vision goggles and firearms, but also armoured Humvees and military helicopters.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: News