Balochistan Gas Supply Disrupted After Pipeline Explosion
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Quetta, March 31 (NationPress) The gas supply to Quetta and numerous districts in the Balochistan province of Pakistan has been interrupted due to the explosion of a major gas pipeline at the Western Bypass area, as reported by local media on Tuesday.
A spokesperson from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) stated, "An 18-inch diameter main gas pipeline was detonated by unidentified individuals," adding that the incident took place in the Akhtarabad region, according to the prominent daily, Dawn.
Authorities mentioned that armed assailants planted an explosive device beneath the pipeline, detonating it on Monday evening. A senior police official confirmed that the gas supply to various regions of Quetta and Balochistan was halted following the fire that erupted from the damaged pipeline.
The SSGC spokesperson indicated that the supply disruption affected areas including Hazara town, Pishin, Ziarat, Kalat, Mastung, Hazarganji, Khaizi, Nohsar, and Kuchlak.
SSGC officials reported that "A significant portion of the gas pipeline was damaged by the explosion," and that crews would initiate repairs as soon as they receive security clearance, as noted by Dawn.
In response to the incident, a heavy deployment of security personnel has been stationed at gas facilities in Quetta, as reported by Dawn.
Recently, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) took responsibility for a series of coordinated strikes on telecommunications infrastructure and a Frontier Corps (FC) post across Balochistan, reportedly resulting in casualties among security forces and causing substantial material damage, according to local news sources.
In a statement, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch disclosed that their operatives conducted an operation on March 26 in the Bhawani area of Hub Chowki, where they set fire to and destroyed equipment at a mobile tower site, claiming it was utilized for surveillance.
Additionally, on March 22, BLF fighters targeted an FC post in the Charfanok area of Shehrak in the Kech district, leading to casualties and damage to infrastructure, The Balochistan Post reported.
In the same incident, machinery at a nearby Ufone telecommunications tower was also set ablaze, rendering it non-operational.
Earlier on March 26, an explosion aimed at Pakistani forces in the Zarkho area of Daghari in Quetta resulted in casualties, according to The Balochistan Post, citing sources.
The explosion occurred as army personnel approached the site of an under-construction post.
Reports indicate that the number of casualties remains unverified.