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CIA Civil Military Units in Afghanistan


Name CIA Civil Military Units in Afghanistan
Ethnic backgr.
Date of birth
Function/Grade Background
History and Biodata
The CIA operated, funded, and trained several paramilitary"civil-military" units in Afghanistan, often referred to as
Zero Units or Counterterrorism Pursuit Teams (CTPTs). These forces operated outside the formal Afghan chain of command, answering directly to the CIA, and were utilized for "kill or capture" raids against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS-K.
Here are the key CIA-controlled groups and units in Afghanistan:
 
1. The "Zero Units" (NDS Special Forces)
These units were nominally part of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency, but were trained, paid, and commanded by the CIA.
  • 01 Unit (Kabul/Central Region): Operated in the central region, including Kabul, Wardak, and Logar provinces.
  • 02 Unit (Eastern Region): Based in Nangarhar, responsible for operations in the eastern border regions.
  • 03 Unit (Kandahar Strike Force - KSF): Operated in the south (Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan) out of a former Taliban compound"Camp Gecko".
  • 04 Unit (Northeastern Region): Focused on operations in Kunar and Nuristan.
 
2. Khost Protection Force (KPF)
The KPF was one of the oldest and largest CIA-backed militias, often referred to as the CIA's "army".
  • Function: Based in Khost Province (Camp Chapman), they operated with high autonomy and significant firepower.
  • Composition: Largely tribal, they operated along the Pakistani border.
 
3. Counterterrorism Pursuit Teams (CTPT)
  • These were specialized, highly trained Afghan units that operated under the CIA’s Special Activities Division (now Special Activities Center).
  • They were used for high-risk intelligence gathering, long-range reconnaissance, and nocturnal raids.
 
Operational Characteristics and Controversy
  • Under the Radar: These units did not operate under the regular Afghan government or the U.S. military chain of command, creating a "regulation twilight zone" that allowed for limited oversight.
  • Human Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch and other organizations documented that these units committed serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and attacks on medical facilities.
  • Tactics: They were known for aggressive, often violent night raids on civilian homes.
  • Training: Members were heavily vetted, often more rigorously than regular Afghan army recruits, and never launched "green-on-blue" attacks against their U.S. handlers.
These units remained active until the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, with some playing a role in securing Kabul airport during the final evacuations.

 
Last Modified 2026-02-27
Established 2026-02-27

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