• Source:JND
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Hundreds of passengers are stranded at different airports in Afghanistan due to internet disruptions in the entire country. Several local and international media reported that the Taliban-run government has banned the internet; however, the extremist group rejected reports of a nationwide internet ban in Afghanistan, saying old fibre optic cables are worn out and are being replaced.

The announcement was the Taliban's first public statement on a communications blackout that has disrupted banking, commerce and aviation. Last month, several provinces confirmed an internet shutdown because of a decree from the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to combat immorality.

Taliban calls internet ban rumours

"There is nothing like the rumours being spread that we have imposed a ban on the internet," Taliban officials said in a three-line statement in a chat group with Pakistani journalists.

The statement posted on social media platform X cited Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying ongoing nationwide disruptions were the result of “decaying fiber optic infrastructure” that is now being replaced.

The statement did not say when or if services would be restored.

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The outage was first reported Monday by internet advocacy group Netblocks, which said internet connectivity was collapsing across the country, including in the capital Kabul, and telephone services also were impacted.

Flight cancelled and delayed

Local news outlets reported widespread cancellations and delays affecting flights at Kabul's international airport. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 indicated that no fewer than eight flights—either inbound or outbound—set for Tuesday at Kabul International Airport were scrapped.

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Aid officials have warned that humanitarian organisations face major challenges because of the blackout, urging authorities to restore connections.

“Reliable communications are essential for our ability to operate, to deliver life-saving assistance, and to coordinate with partners,” Save the Children said in a statement Wednesday.

(With inputs from agency)