Electric power exported to Afghanistan from Uzbekistan was drastically cut in 11 Afghan provinces, including Kabul, after “anti-government armed militants destroyed two power pylons in the northern province of Baghlan,” according to a statement by the power supply company De Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS).
“The incident happened approximately at 10 a.m. on Sunday when the two pylons were blown up by explosives,” DABS spokesman Wahidullah Tawhidi said.
A large portion of the electricity is used by factories in Kabul’s industrial parks in the east of the city.
Some Kabul residents blamed the government for its failure to build sufficient infrastructure.
“The government should pay full attention to this area. Power should not be cut off like this,” said Abdullah, a Kabul resident.
DABS officials said power will be restored to Kabul in the next three days.
Kabul, which is experiencing serious power shortages, is down by 100 megawatts of imported electricity, DABS said.
Meanwhile a number of residents in Kabul have called on the insurgents to stop damaging national assets.
“If they claim to be the real inhabitants of this country, then they should never do such things,” said one resident, Mohammad Nabi Mangal.
“Electricity is supposed to be for all of us, it’s for the poor and the rich and everyone. Opponents should also support national projects,” said another resident, Eltaf Khalil Nuristani.
Insurgents said in a statement that they will cut off all electricity to Kabul unless government distributes electricity to areas in their control.
