A telecom tower attack in the Harnai district of Balochistan has knocked out PTCL landline, DSL broadband, and Ufone mobile services, leaving residents and businesses across several nearby areas without phone, internet, or mobile connectivity. The tower, which served as the main source of communication infrastructure for the region, sustained significant damage in the incident, according to sources.
Following the attack, users across multiple localities reported disruptions in telephone, internet, and mobile network access, cutting off a service that many in the area depend on for daily communication. The outage has affected homes, businesses, and educational institutions that rely on the tower for connectivity, with alternative communication options already limited in the remote district. Officials noted that disruptions of this scale can also hinder emergency communication in areas where backup networks are scarce.
Technical teams and relevant authorities have begun assessing the damage to determine the scope of repairs needed to restore the equipment and resume normal service. Restoration work is currently underway, though authorities have not announced a timeline for when services will be fully restored. No official statement has been issued regarding those responsible for the attack or the motive behind it.
Officials say the incident highlights the vulnerability of telecommunications infrastructure in remote regions, where damage to a single tower can cut off essential services for thousands of users at once. The disruption in Harnai adds to a broader pattern of connectivity challenges facing telecom infrastructure in parts of Balochistan, where limited backup systems and difficult terrain have historically made restoration efforts more time consuming compared to urban centers.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.