India, Sept. 17 -- In a crackdown on the country's digital access, Afghanistan's Taliban authorities severed fibre optic connections in multiple provinces in what officials said was a campaign against "vice".

The order, issued directly by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has left tens of thousands without high-speed internet, raising fears of growing censorship and serious economic fallout, news agency AFP reported.

In northern Balkh province, fibre optic internet was completely banned on the leader's orders, provincial spokesman Attaullah Zaid said Tuesday.

"This measure was taken to prevent vice, and alternative options will be put in place across the country to meet connectivity needs," he wrote on X.

But for now, thos...