Gas supply to parts of Balochistan suspended after main pipeline blown up in Bolan

Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, experienced a disruption in gas supply on Wednesday evening when a main gas pipeline in the Bolan area of Kachhi district was blown up by unknown individuals. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) confirmed the incident, stating that the 18-inch wide pipeline was severely damaged, leading to a halt in gas supply. The explosion took place at the KMP-246 Valve Assembly in the Bolan riverbed near Gorkat, approximately 700 to 800 meters from the main Quetta-Sibi Road.

The company attributed the blast to unknown perpetrators who had planted explosives under the pipeline in the riverbed and detonated it remotely. As a result, gas supply to several towns and cities, including Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin, Ziarat, and various parts of Quetta, was suspended. Consumers may experience reduced gas pressure or a complete supply shortage.

Local sources reported that unidentified individuals targeted the main valve of the pipeline with explosives in the Daraz Bent area of Bolan. Following the explosion, flames and smoke were visible rising from the damaged pipeline. The SSGC indicated that repair teams were prepared to begin restoration efforts but required security clearance to access the affected area. The gas utility emphasized that they were closely monitoring the situation and striving to restore supplies as quickly as possible.

Notably, similar incidents have occurred in the past. In May, gas supply to a large portion of the province was suspended after an unknown armed group blew up a pipeline in the Dera Bugti area. Additionally, in the same month, gas supply to Sohbatpur district in the Nasirabad division was disrupted following a similar attack. Another incident took place in March, where unidentified armed men blew up the main gas pipeline at the Western Bypass area.