Gas supply disrupted in Balochistan as terrorists blow up pipeline in Harnai

Terrorists planted and detonated explosives beneath the pipeline near the western bypass

QUETTA:

Gas supply to Quetta and upper Balochistan was severely disrupted on Monday after terrorists blew up an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) near the western bypass in Harnai's Akhtarabad area.

According to an initial report from the Bomb Disposal Squad, the incident was clearly a case of sabotage. The terrorists planted explosives beneath the pipeline and detonated them, completely destroying a large section of the pipeline.

A spokesperson for Sui Southern Gas Company confirmed the attack, stating that technical teams were immediately dispatched to the site. The teams managed to close the main valve and extinguish the fire, preventing further damage. However, the gas supply has been entirely suspended.

As a result of the explosion, gas supply was halted in several key areas of Quetta city and upper Balochistan, including Airport Road, Nawan Kali, Jinnah Town, A One City, Hazarganji, Kuchlak, Pishin, Ziarat, Bostan, Yaro, Karbala, and Harmuzi.

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The suspension of gas supply during the cold weather caused significant hardship for residents, affecting essential daily tasks such as heating homes, boiling water, and other household chores.

Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion was so intense it caused a massive fire to erupt in the pipeline, with flames rising into the sky, creating widespread panic in the area.

SSGC officials said that repairs to the affected eight-foot section of the pipeline would begin as soon as security clearance was obtained from law enforcement agencies. The repair work was expected to take between 12 to 24 hours, after which the gas supply would be restored.

Police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials quickly visited the site and initiated a full investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings revealed that the blast targeted the pipeline running under a bridge. Law enforcement agencies sealed off the area and were continuing to gather further evidence.

The attack adds to the growing list of assaults on gas pipelines in Balochistan. Experts warn that such attacks not only disrupt the daily lives of the public but also cause significant damage to the province’s economic activities.

The provincial government and federal authorities have responded swiftly, promising to implement stringent security measures.

Citizens urged the administration to restore the gas supply as soon as possible and take effective action to prevent such incidents in the future.