Balochistan: Gas pipeline badly damaged due to rebel attack

A bomb blew up a state-owned gas pipeline in occupied Balochistan yesterday, leaving thousands in Pakistan without gas but causing no injuries, a spokesman said.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta, the capital of volatile Baluchistan province. But the involvement of the Balochistan Liberation Army is being highly suspected.

Maqbool Ahmed, spokesman for Sui Southern Gas Pipelines Ltd., said they were making efforts to restore supplies.

He gave no further details, but previous such attacks have been blamed on renegade tribesmen who have launched a violent campaign to pressure the central government for increases in royalties for gas extracted in their areas.