A major natural gas pipeline in southwestern Pakistan has been blown up in a suspected terrorist attack, severely disrupting energy supplies during cold weather conditions. The incident occurred near Quetta, the capital of the restive Balochistan province, which borders both Afghanistan and Iran.
Explosion Disrupts Critical Energy Infrastructure
According to a spokesperson for the Sui Southern Gas Company, "unknown individuals" attacked the main supply line on Monday. The assailants targeted an 18-inch pipeline section, causing a significant explosion and fire. Technical crews were immediately dispatched to the site, where they managed to shut the main valve and extinguish the flames. However, the damage had already been done.
Supply Disruption Amid Deepening Crisis
Gas supply was disrupted across many parts of Quetta and upper Balochistan, where households rely heavily on natural gas for heating and cooking during cold weather. This incident exacerbates Pakistan's ongoing energy crisis, which has been deepened by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Police have launched a full investigation and sealed off the area surrounding the attack site. The gas company stated that it requires clearance from law enforcement agencies before beginning repair work, which is expected to take between 12 and 24 hours to complete.
History of Separatist Violence in Region
The explosion is suspected to be a terrorist attack in a region with a long history of separatist insurgency and militant violence. Baloch separatist groups routinely attack government and military installations throughout the province.
These groups accuse the central government in Islamabad of depriving local people of what they claim is their fair share of resources from the mineral-rich province. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province and contains significant natural resources.
Previous Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
This is not the first attack on energy infrastructure in the region. In 2014, the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for an attack on the Sui Southern Gas Company pipeline in the Akhtarabad area of Quetta. This ethnonationalist insurgent group seeks independence for Balochistan.
More recently, in August 2025, a similar attack blew up a gas pipeline in Lakki Marwat district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, disrupting supply to Punjab's Mianwali region. These repeated attacks highlight the vulnerability of Pakistan's critical energy infrastructure.
Visual Evidence and Investigation
A video circulated online shows a raging fireball rising into the sky in a mountainous area through which the pipeline reportedly runs. While the authenticity of this video could not be independently confirmed, it provides visual evidence of the scale of the explosion.
Authorities continue their investigation into the attack as repair crews await clearance to begin restoration work. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and their impact on Pakistan's already strained energy sector.
