Underground optical fiber cable between Babusar Top to Chilas Zero Point restored
The project to lay underground optical fiber cable between Babusar Top to Chilas Zero Point, a key backhaul communication link for Gilgit-Baltistan, has been successfully completed.
With the completion of this project, telecommunication services in the region have been restored on a permanent and secure basis.
According to SCO Communication Organization, On July 22, 2025, a severe cloudburst in the Babusar Valley caused an unusual landslide that severely damaged the backhaul optical fiber cable of the Special Communications Organization.
The cable was affected in a stretch of about 8 kilometers at 8 different locations near Thak village on the Babusar Top to Chilas Zero Point highway, while the optical fiber along the main road at the Loshi Bridge was completely washed away.
More than 22 tourists and locals lost their lives in this tragic accident. SCO field teams, acting on an emergency basis, restored communication services within 48 hours by laying temporary optical fiber over the mountains on July 24, 2025. However, this temporary arrangement was repeatedly damaged during the ongoing road rehabilitation and debris removal works.
To make the communication system permanent and secure, SCO initiated a project to re-lay the optical fiber underground in the affected areas, which began on October 15, 2025. This project was completed in a short period of just two and a half months.
Under the project, a total of 16 km of underground optical fiber cable has been laid in 7 different sections for the central backhaul connectivity of Gilgit-Baltistan. All sections have been successfully energized and the optical fiber cable has been completely restored to its original underground condition.
With the completion of the project, the telecommunications network in Gilgit-Baltistan has become more robust, providing better communication facilities not only to the public but also to government institutions, security forces and tourism activities.