KABUL – Afghan Taliban new unit is called the Red Division and is basedclose to the Tajikistan border.

*Local security commanders in Kunduz province told TOLOnews on Monday thata new arm of Taliban has emerged in the past few months in the province andthat the fighters carry out night attacks on security forces.*

According to security officials, the new Taliban fighting unit is known asRed Division and is based along the bordering area between Afghanistan andTajikistan.

Officials also said the group is well equipped.

In recent months Taliban attacks have increased in these border areas, saidofficials adding that the Taliban’s Red Division is behind these attacks.

The officials said some foreign fighters are also part of the Red Division.

“Red Division (fighters are) being trained and funded by some foreigngroups and this is questionable. Some offensives that they have carried outhave been above the Taliban’s (usual) capacity in terms of tactics,movements and functioning ,” Hamid Saifi, a commander of the nationalarmy’s operation in Dasht-e-Archi said.

They denied having links to any foreign countries and said they get theirweapons in raids on security posts.

“Due to Taliban’s ties to Russians, they want to have control overDasht-e-Archi and keep a safe and continued relationship with Russia acrossthe Amu River,” Hamid Saifi said.

According to security officials, the Red Division is based in a forestedarea along the Tajikistan border – which has roads connecting the area toKhawja Ghar district in Takhar and Dasht-e-Archi district in Kunduz.