Blast ruptures gas pipeline

MUSTANG—Unidentified miscreants blew up pipe line which suspended gas supply to Qallat, Mustang and surrounding areas on early Sunday morning.
Unknown miscreants had placed explosive materials under gas pipelines which exploded with big bang and blew up 16 inch of its part in surrounding areas of Qallat and mastang. Repair of the pipeline is underway to restore the gas supply.
A bomb damaged a gas pipeline Sunday in southwestern Pakistan, cutting supplies to thousands of homes in a region tense after a rebel tribal leader died in a battle with government forces.
The blast damaged less than three feet of 18-inch-wide pipeline in the mountainous area of Lakpass south of Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province, police official Hamid Shakil.
No one was reported hurt, but the blast disrupted gas supplies to about 2,000 homes and businesses in Mastung and Kalat districts, Shakil said.
There was no claim of responsibility, but authorities have blamed rebel Baluch tribesmen for similar attacks in the past on pipelines, gas fields, railroads and security forces in Baluchistan.
Baluch rebels have waged an often violent campaign for a greater share of wealth obtained from natural resources, including gas and oil, extracted in their province.
Sunday's explosion came amid widespread anger in the province over the Aug. 26 killing of prominent tribal chief Nawab Akbar Bugti.
Authorities have said Bugti died when his cave hideout collapsed during fighting between security forces and fighters loyal to the tribal chief.
Bugti, accused by the government of leading anti-government attacks in Baluchistan, was buried in a state-managed ceremony in his home town of Dera Bugti on Friday.
No one from his family attended. His relatives condemned the government for not returning the body to them.—Agencies