The gas pipeline of the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) from Shikarpur to Quetta was damaged near Kolpur, about 27-km from Quetta at about 2:30 am, on the night between October 2 and 3, 2005, said a press release of the SSGC issued here on Monday.
This damage was caused by a severe blast caused by an act of sabotage at the hands of unknown miscreants, it said, adding the powerful explosion caused major damage to the main SSGC pipeline feeding gas to Quetta and its suburbs.
It said the SSGC took immediate action to shut off the supply of gas for the safety of the pipeline and the area around the blast, adding emergency crews were immediately dispatched to the site of the explosion to undertake initial repairs, as the damage to the pipeline is fairly extensive and heavy equipment is being transported to the site of the explosion for repairs.
It is estimated that the supply to Quetta and its environs will be normalised within 24 hours of the incident, sometime late during the night between October 3 and 4, it said.
The SSGC has condemned this highly reprehensible act of anti-state by anti-social elements that has caused such regrettable suffering to innocent citizens. The Company has also acknowledged the inconvenience that would be caused to customers particularly in Quetta and the area around it, and urged them to make alternative arrangements for heating, cooking and other equipment that run on gas, the press release said.
As a result of this disruption in the pipeline, customers will experience total suspension of supply, until the pipeline is fully restored on Monday night.
The SSGC sincerely apologises to its customers, particularly in Quetta and its adjoining area, and would like to assure them that it is doing everything in its power in the most expeditious manner to restore the supply of gas to Quetta and remove the suffering of our customers on account of this wanton act of terrorism.-PR