A high-voltage transmission cable was blown up by unidentified militants in Baffa area of Mansehra, suspending the power supply to Punjab, police said on Tuesday.
Mansehra DPO Khurram Rasheed told journalists a high-voltage transmission cable of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) was targeted around 8 kilometres from the police station around 11pm on Monday.
He added explosives were planted at tower number 259, which was destroyed in the ensuing blast. Nearby towers 257 and 258 also sustained minor damage. He revealed the explosive device contained around 30 kilogrammes of explosives. The blast caused residents nearby to panic and evacuate their homes.
The DPO said around a kilometre-long transmission cable was affected, suspending the supply of electricity from Khan Khwar Dam to several areas in Punjab. Power to different parts of Mansehra was also cut off, but restored after three hours, according to residents and Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials.
Meanwhile, Wapda officials claim electricity to Punjab through this line will be restored within three days.
Police have registered a criminal case against unidentified attackers under Section 3(4) of the Explosives Act.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2014.