ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) confirmed on Tuesday that a powerful explosion blew off its 26-inch gas pipeline near Uch in Balochistan that disrupted gas supplies to the US-sponsored 580mw Uch Power Plant.

After initial investigations, the company has termed the incident a sabotage activity. “It is suspected that elements opposed to the stability of Pakistan have carried out yet another act of sabotage, disrupting gas supplies to a foreign power generation plant, and thwarting the efforts for economic recovery of the government and the OGDCL at the same time,” a company spokesman said.

As a result, power generation from the 580mw power plant was suspended, causing shortage of power to Wapda, which is already relying most of the time on thermal power because of shortage of hydel power.

The spokesman said: “On the night of November 29, 2002, at about 1030 hours, the 26-inch main trunk line supplying gas to Uch Power Plant exploded at a point 5km from the plant, releasing gas into the atmosphere,” said a company spokesman.

The OGDCL staff working at the Uch gas field in Balochistan shut off the gas supply immediately to the trunk line. The staff that reached the site on the night of incident found that “unlawful elements had probably detonated some explosive devise blowing the pipeline and leaving behind a crater of approximately 30 feet diameter and 10 feet deep,” approximately 40km from the gas field.

Initial investigations by a high-level OGDCL team from Islamabad noted that the buried pipe was in excellent condition. The spot indicated that an external explosive matter was used to blow the pipeline. After the pipeline was blown up the gas was releasing freely in the atmosphere and the pipe was badly ruptured from the possible explosion, the spokesman explained.

Law and order agencies have been directed to review and investigate the possible cause of accident and to apprehend the culprits. The company said it was making all possible efforts to repair the damaged pipeline and restore gas supply to the Uch Power Plant.

Uch gas field is situated in Balochistan and is operated by state-run OGDCL. A 26-inch pipeline approximately 47 kilometres long connects the gas field with the Uch Power Plant, which utilises natural gas to produce electricity for Wapda’s national grid.

Last year, the OGDCL had reported unauthorized flights of US helicopters over the gas field and then a couple of dead eagles were found with sensitive devices.