As if they don't have enough enemies, the Taliban have now declared Holy War on cell phone companies in Afghanistan that don't turn off their services between 5:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. They claim that cell phone signals are being used by Canadian, US, and other coalition troops to track down insurgents and, well, they've had just about enough of it.
BBC News has the story:
The Taleban have threatened to blow up telephone masts across Afghanistan unless mobile phone companies agree to switch off their signals at night.
They say that US and other foreign troops are using the signals to track down insurgents.
The Taleban have warned the masts and offices of the mobile companies will be destroyed unless their demands are met. Mobiles were introduced after the Taleban fell in 2001 and are now the most popular way of communicating.
''If those companies do not stop their signal within three days, the Taleban will target their towers and their offices," Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said.
The Taleban say that Afghanistan's four mobile phone companies should stop operating between 1700 local time and 0300 the following morning.
Militants have threatened the companies in the past, accusing them of colluding with the US and other forces.
But communication experts say the US military uses satellites to pick up mobile signals and does not need the help of the phone companies anyway.
Emphasis mine.
"Gee, Mr. Taliban. Those Canadian and American troops sure seem to be killing a lot of you."
"What? No, no. It's the cell phones. We'd be winning for sure if they'd just turn off the signals."
H/t Hot Air
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