QUETTA: The gas supply to several towns and cities of Balochistan, including parts of the provincial capital, was suspended late on Wednesday after a main gas pipeline in Bolan area of Kachhi district was blown up by unidentified miscreants.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) confirmed the incident and said that the 18-inch wide gas pipeline was badly damaged, disrupting the supply.

A statement by its spokesperson said that the explosion occurred at the KMP-246 Valve Assembly in the Bolan riverbed area near Gorkat, around 700 to 800 metres from the main Quetta-Sibi Road.

It said that unknown people planted explosives under the pipeline in the riverbed and detonated it with a remote control.

The company said the gas supply was suspended to Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin, Ziarat and many parts of Quetta and added that consumers may face reduced gas pressure or supply.

Local sources said unidentified individuals allegedly targeted the main valve of the gas pipeline with explosives in the Daraz Bent area of Bolan. Following the explosion, flames and smoke were seen rising from the damaged pipeline.

SSGC said that teams were ready to initiate repair work, but they were waiting for security clearance before going to the affected area. The gas utility said its management was closely monitoring the situation and working to restore supplies as soon as possible.

In May, the gas supply to a vast area of the province was suspended after unknown armed men blew up a gas pipeline in the Dera Bugti area. The same month, the supply to Sohbatpur district in the Nasirabad division was also suspended after unidentified miscreants blew up a gas pipeline.

A similar incident also occurred in March as unidentified armed men blew up the main gas pipeline at Western Bypass area.