PSO, Islamabad police foil diesel theft bid, recover 1,000 litre fuel

According to Mettis Global, PSO and Islamabad Police thwarted an attempt to steal fuel from the Sihala to Attock Refinery Limited pipeline early on Wednesday. Two suspects were arrested after officers dismantled an illegal tapping clamp at the site. Officers also seized about 1,000 litres of high-speed diesel (HSD), a loader vehicle and the equipment used in the bid.

The Sihala Terminal's readings showed an unusual pressure fall along the line at about 4:30 a.m. PSO's security team, acting on earlier intelligence and live surveillance, alerted the police, and a joint raid was carried out within half an hour, catching the culprits in the act. The suspects, the seized diesel and the vehicle were handed to Sihala Police for case registration, and the site has been secured and returned to safe working condition.

A PSO spokesperson described fuel theft as a danger to lives and communities as well as a crime against national assets, and said the company will keep pursuing offenders under the law. The company also noted that it is coordinating with federal and provincial authorities to protect critical energy infrastructure.