Bolan pipeline blast disrupts gas supply across Balochistan
The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) confirmed that a major gas pipeline was badly damaged after explosives were detonated in the Bolan area of Kachhi district.
The incident affected supplies to several towns and cities, including parts of Quetta. Residents in the affected areas may face low gas pressure or a complete suspension of supply.
SSGC said the explosion occurred at the KMP-246 Valve Assembly in the Bolan riverbed area near Gorkat. The location is around 700 to 800 metres from the main Quetta-Sibi Road.
According to the gas company, unidentified people placed explosives underneath the pipeline and detonated them using a remote-controlled device. The blast caused serious damage to the 18-inch-wide pipeline.
Local sources said the main valve of the pipeline was allegedly targeted with explosives in the Daraz Bent area of Bolan. Flames and smoke were reportedly visible from the damaged section following the explosion.
Gas supply disrupted in several areas
SSGC said gas supplies were suspended to Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin and Ziarat. Several parts of Quetta were also affected by the disruption.
The company warned consumers in affected areas that they could experience reduced gas pressure or interruptions in supply. The impact is expected to continue until repair work can safely begin and the damaged pipeline is restored.
The disruption is significant because the affected pipeline is part of the gas network supplying several communities across the province. Any prolonged damage could create additional difficulties for households and businesses that depend on regular gas supplies.
SSGC said its repair teams were prepared to reach the damaged site and begin restoration work. However, the teams were waiting for security clearance before entering the area.
The company said its management was monitoring the situation closely and working to restore gas supplies as soon as conditions allow.
Security clearance delays repair work
The need for security clearance highlights the difficulties involved in repairing critical infrastructure in areas where attacks have previously targeted gas pipelines.
Repair teams cannot immediately begin work at the damaged location because the site must first be declared safe. This means restoration efforts could depend on the security situation around the pipeline.
SSGC has not indicated how long the repair process will take. The company is expected to assess the extent of the damage after its teams receive clearance and reach the affected section.
For residents, the immediate concern is the restoration of normal gas pressure and supply. Communities already facing infrastructure challenges could experience further disruption if repairs take longer than expected.
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Previous pipeline attacks raise concerns
The latest incident is not the first time that a gas pipeline has been damaged in Balochistan this year.
In May, gas supplies to a large area of the province were suspended after unidentified armed men blew up a pipeline in Dera Bugti. Another pipeline attack during the same month disrupted gas supplies to Sohbatpur district in the Nasirabad division.
A similar incident was also reported in March when unidentified armed men targeted the main gas pipeline in the Western Bypass area.
The repeated attacks have raised concerns about the security of energy infrastructure in the province. Gas pipelines are particularly important because damage to a single major line can affect supply to several towns and cities.
The incidents also create additional pressure on gas utility companies, which must balance restoration work with security requirements at damaged sites.
