Amir-ul-Momineen's Khas Zwak

Amir-ul-Momineen's Khas Zwak ("Special Force of the Commander of the Faithful").
 

The best-documented information indicates that Akhundzada has a dedicated protection force known as the Amir-ul-Momineen's Khas Zwak ("Special Force of the Commander of the Faithful").

• The force has existed since late 2023.
• It is commanded by Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Talib, who is also the Kandahar Chief of Police.
• Its primary mission is the protection of Hibatullah Akhundzada rather than ordinary provincial policing. 

Separately, recent reporting has claimed that Akhundzada ordered the creation of an 8,000-member "Hibati" unitresponsible for overall command of security along the Pakistan border. These reports rely on unnamed sources and have not been independently confirmed, but they are consistent with broader reporting that the emir has been centralizing control over security forces. 

Analytical assessment

Most Afghanistan specialists believe Akhundzada does not command large field formations directly. Instead, he appears to rely on:

• a small, highly trusted personal protection force, carefully selected bodyguards, loyal Kandahar-based commanders,
• and the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Intelligence for larger military operations.