Taliban Cut Kandahar Internet Again After Nationwide Blackout
The Taliban have shut down fibre-optic internet services in Kandahar for the second time in a week, sources told Afghanistan International.
The Taliban have shut down fibre-optic internet services in Kandahar for the second time in a week, sources told Afghanistan International.
Internet providers in the province have informed customers that all fibre connections have been suspended on the orders of the Taliban’s supreme leader until further notice.
The move comes just days after the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet and mobile network blackout from 28 to 30 September. Officials from the Taliban’s Ministry of Telecommunications and the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) previously told Afghanistan International that the shutdowns were ordered directly by the group’s leader and aimed at enforcing a complete halt to fibre-optic services across the country.
The earlier blackout paralysed key administrative and economic sectors, including banks, customs offices, airlines, money exchanges, and online businesses. Online education classes were also suspended, and Pakistan temporarily halted visa services while closing the Torkham border crossing.
Taliban officials have not provided any explanation for the repeated shutdowns, which have drawn widespread anger from Afghan citizens and condemnation from international organisations and human rights activists.
