Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Kabul Power Plant Explosion

The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the explosion at a power plant in Afghanistan, which left Kabul without electricity. This was reported by Khaama Press, citing a statement from the group.

Previously, the Afghanistan National Power Corporation (DABS) announced that the capital, Kabul, and several other provinces in Afghanistan were without electricity due to the explosion at the power plant located northwest of the city.

According to agency sources, power transmission lines will be connected to the grid this evening. Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior has reported that three people have been arrested in connection with the explosion, but it has not been clarified whether they are militants of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a former DABS chief, that electricity supply to Kabul could cease before winter, as the Taliban have not been paying bills for supplies received from Central Asia. He stated that Afghanistan needs $90 million to resolve the situation.

According to the newspaper, Afghanistan receives electricity from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. The publication notes that Afghanistan has almost no national energy grid, and local electricity production, primarily from hydropower plants, has been affected by drought this year.