August 24, 2008	Sunday	Sha'aban 21, 1429

QUETTA, Aug 23: A key pipeline supplying gas to the Sui gas plant from the Pir Koh gas field was badly damaged in an explosion taking place in the Tali Mat area of Dera Bugti district on Saturday, disrupting gas supply to the plant.

Official sources said that some unknown people had placed an explosive device under the pipeline in the Tali Mat area. The subsequent explosion rocked the entire area.

“A big portion of the 24-inch-diameter pipeline was blown up in the blast, suspending gas supply to the main plant,” the sources said, adding that engineers and other staff of the OGDC had been sent to the site to repair the pipeline.

The Baloch Republican Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Govt official shot dead

An official of the public health department was killed in Killi Bangulzai area of Sariab on Saturday.

Police sources said Shamsuddin Marri was going home when some armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his car and opened fire on him.

He received four bullets in his head and died on the spot. Police took his body to the Quetta Civil Hospital.

The assailants escaped from the crime scene.

“The reason behind the attack is not known,” said a police official.