QUETTA, June 10: Gas supply was suspended to Quetta and major cities and town of four other districts in Balochistan as two main underground transmission pipelines feeding gas from Sui were blown up in Dashat area in the early hours of Saturday.

Another gas pipeline and a big tower of a 132KV transmission line were also blown up in Loti gas field in Dera Bugti and Dasht area in Mastung district, respectively, while 14 bombs planted near three other towers were defused.

“There is no gas supply in five districts of the province, including Quetta, since 2.20am,” Sui Southern Gas Company officials told Dawn. They said the explosions had caused serious damage to both the pipelines.

Gas supply to Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, Pishin and Ziarat districts had been suspended, the officials said.

According to sources, unknown people planted explosive devices under two main gas pipelines of 20 inch and 12 inch diameter and blew them up at around 2.20am in Dasht area. They said both the pipelines caught fire after the explosions. The fire was controlled after stopping supply in the affected pipelines from Sibi. “Five to six feet long portions of both the pipelines were blown up,” they said.

Consumers in the affected districts faced difficulties and people were seen buying firewood, kerosene stoves and gas cylinders. The price of liquefied petroleum gas was increased by dealers. Most of the tandoors and hotels in the provincial capital remained closed.

According to official sources, a 16-inch diameter pipeline supplying gas to the Loti plant from the gas field was blown up, reducing the pressure in the plant. “Supply to Loti Plant from gas well No.14 was suspended,” the sources said.

Meanwhile, a huge tower of 132KV power transmission line was blown up in Dasht area. Power supply was not affected.

The banned Baloch Liberation Army blamed government agencies for destroying towers.

APP adds: The SSGC said in a press release that repair of the Sui-Quetta pipeline was in progress and normal supply would be restored to all stations by Sunday.