Staff Reporter:Â
Quetta: Violence struck the provincial capital on Monday as two police officers were martyred in a firing incident on the Eastern Bypass, while a major gas pipeline was blown up in a separate act of sabotage on the Western Bypass.
According to police sources, unidentified accused targeted an Eagle Squad patrol, martyring Constable Muhammad Noor and Constable Muhammad Ayub on the spot. Security forces reached the area shortly after the attack and launched a search operation to trace those responsible.
In another incident, an 18-inch diameter pipeline of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) was damaged in an explosion near Akhtarabad. Officials said explosive material had been planted beneath the pipeline, triggering a powerful blast that set off a large fire. Flames were seen rising high into the air, causing panic among nearby residents.
Technical teams from SSGC were immediately dispatched to the scene and succeeded in shutting off the gas supply, bringing the fire under control. However, the explosion has resulted in a suspension of gas supply in Quetta and several areas of upper Balochistan, affecting a large number of households.
The worst-affected areas include Airport Road, Nawan Killi, Jinnah Town, Hazarganji, Kuchlak, Pishin, Ziarat and adjoining localities, where residents are facing difficulties due to the disruption in cooking and heating facilities.
SSGC officials stated that repair work will begin once security clearance is granted by law enforcement agencies, adding that restoration of the damaged section may take up to 24 hours.
Law enforcement agencies, including Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, have cordoned off the area and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the pipeline, located beneath a bridge, was deliberately targeted.
