QUETTA, May 11: Saboteurs on Thursday blew up a tower of the 132-KV Rakhni-Barkhan power transmission line, suspending supply of electricity to Barkhan, Kohlu and Mawand.
According to a spokesman of the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco), a powerful explosive device was used to blow up the tower.
“Vast area of three main towns in Kohlu and Barkhan districts were plunged into complete darkness,” Qesco officials said, adding that work to install a new tower had been launched.
Meanwhile, several rockets were fired at an FC checkpost in the Karmo-Wadh area in Kahan.
A heavy exchange of fire was also reported between security forces and armed tribesmen in the Narigaj area in Sibi district.
No casualty was reported in both the incidents.
However, tribesmen claimed that security force had suffered casualties in the exchange of fire. They also took the responsibility of blowing up the two power supply towers.
FACTION FIGHTING: Four bugti tribesmen were killed and five others injured in an armed clash between two factions of the Mandwani and Kalpar Bugtis in the Lanjo area of the Sui tehsil on Thursday.
According to officials, armed men belonging to the Mandwani Bugtis opened fire on a convoy of Kalpar tribesmen, which was on its way to Sui.
The vehicle of the Kalpars overturned after running over a landmine, killing four people.
The Kalpar Bugtis returned fire by taking positions in nearby mountains, injuring five Mandwani Bugtis.
The heavy exchange of fire lasted for more than three hours and the tribesmen also used heavy weapons, including rockets, against each other.
The four men killed in the armed clash were identified as Mohammad Bugti, Alan Bugti, Manjo Bugti and Sanjo Bugti.
Sources said that the area was tense after the clashes and security forces were patrolling to avert further clashes. “The armed clash was triggered by an old feud,” a local administration official said.
