Bombs exploded near two main gas pipelines in southwestern Pakistan on Monday, ripping open portions of the pipelines and disrupting gas supply to thousands of homes, an official said.
There were no reports of injuries, nor had anyone owned responsibility for the attacks. The explosions occurred at dawn in Kolpur, 30 kilometers southeast of Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province, said Nawaz Sheikh, an official with the Sui Southern Gas Co Ltd, which operates both pipelines.
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Authorities have blamed local tribesmen for carrying out similarly bombing gas pipelines and railroads, as well as rocket attacks targeting security forces. Ethnic Baluch groups are suspected of staging such attacks because they believe the central government is siphoning off their natural resources without providing enough compensation to the local population.
These groups also oppose plans by the central government to set up new military garrisons in the province, and say money earmarked for the bases should instead be spent on development projects in impoverished Baluchistan.
The government says the garrisons would help improve security.
Monday's simultaneous explosions at the two adjacent pipelines disrupted gas supplies to Quetta and five other towns, Sheikh said. Repair work will take 24 hours.
Pakistan' main gas fields which supply most parts of the country, are located in Sui, a tribal town southeast of Quetta.
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