QUETTA: Attackers blew up a major gas pipeline on Thursday, suspending supply to Quetta, Pishin, Ziarat and other parts of Balochistan.

According to Levies officials, the suspected militants placed an explosive device under the gas pipeline and blew it up.

“A big portion of the 12-inch diameter gas pipeline was damaged in the blast,” the officials said.

Officials of the Sui Southern Gas Company confirmed the incident and said that 50 per cent gas supply to Quetta and total supply of gas to Pishin, Ziarat and other areas had been affected because of the incident.

“We are providing gas to Quetta and surrounding areas through alternative arrangements,” SSGC sources said.

Reports say that the gas pipeline damaged in the blast was coming to Quetta from Sui.

SSGC officials said that repair work on the damaged pipeline was under way and gas supply was likely to be restored late on Thursday night.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2019