Taliban targeting power transmission line in Badghes

BADGHES (SW) – The Taliban have attacked and damaged power transmission lines from Turkmenistan in Badghes province six times in a year, Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat officials said on Wednesday.

Mohammad Taher Azimi, the head of DABS in Badghis province, told Salam Watandar that huge losses have been caused by disruption of power transmission lines from Turkmenistan by the Taliban. The provincial head of the DABS said the directorate lacks funds to repair these lines. He added that many people in the province are also reluctant to pay the power utility bills.

Azimi said the Taliban wants to distribute electricity to 21 villages from the power transmission line from Turkmenistan. He added electricity will soon be distributed to these villages, but electricity subscribers in these villages may not pay their bills.

Some members of the provincial council and civil activists in Badghis also want the Taliban not to use public projects as pressure tools.

According to the authorities, an estimated 14 MW of electricity from Turkmenistan is being supplied to some 6,000 families in the city of Qala-e-Nau.

ENDS