The first winter military operation was launched in Maidan Wardak province – in the west of Kabul – after the imported electricity transmission lines were cut by militants.

Local officials claimed that a number of powerful figures and groups from the capital, Kabul, are involved in the problem including the Taliban.

A number of religious scholars on Wednesday suggested President Ashraf Ghani should consider allowing the Taliban to open a political office in Kabul.

They said that the opening of a political office for the Taliban in Kabul will create an address for the group and it will also help to strengthen chances of engaging in peace talks with the group inside the country.