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

Quetta, Pakistan - Gas supply to several towns and cities in Balochistan, including parts of the provincial capital, was abruptly halted on Wednesday evening following a deliberate act of sabotage on a main gas pipeline in the Bolan region, situated within Kachhi district. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) reported the incident, indicating that the 18-inch diameter pipeline suffered significant damage, thereby halting gas distribution.

According to an SSGC spokesperson, the explosion took place at the KMP-246 Valve Assembly in the Bolan riverbed region close to Gorkat, approximately 700 to 800 meters from the main Quetta-Sibi Road. The group of unidentified individuals responsible for the attack is believed to have planted explosives beneath the pipeline in the riverbed before detonating them remotely.

The company warned that the disruption would affect consumers in Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin, Ziarat, and numerous areas of Quetta, potentially leading to reduced gas pressure or a complete interruption in service. Eyewitnesses reported explosions and the emergence of flames and smoke from the damaged pipeline. SSGC officials stated that they were prepared to begin repair operations, but they were awaiting necessary security clearance before moving to the affected location.

The gas provider affirmed that their management was closely monitoring the situation and striving to restore gas supplies as swiftly as possible. In May, a similar attack saw gas supply to a large part of the province cease after unidentified armed men detonated a gas pipeline in Dera Bugti. Additionally, in the same month, the supply to Sohbatpur, located in Nasirabad division, was suspended following the same modus operandi.

March also witnessed a comparable incident where unidentified armed men blew up the main gas pipeline at the Western Bypass area.