The Taliban has cut off wireless internet access in five provinces, reliable sources told Afghanistan International on Tuesday.

Residents in Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimroz and Balkh provinces have lost access to Wi-Fi services, which are typically provided through home routers and other wireless devices.

The move came a day after the Taliban blocked fibre optic internet in Mazar-i-Sharif city, the capital of Balkh province. Sources within the group said the shutdown was ordered directly by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.

According to the sources, the measure is part of a broader Taliban plan to gradually restrict both fibre optic and Wi-Fi services across the country. Independent observers confirmed that over the past three weeks, fibre optic companies’ services have either been completely suspended or severely disrupted nationwide.

Experts warn the restrictions may provide the Taliban with short-term control over the flow of information, but in the long run will cause serious harm to Afghanistan’s economy, education and technological development.