QUETTA: An 18-inch Sui gas pipeline was blown up on Saturday by unknown miscreants in the Dera Murad Jamali area of Balochistan, DawnNews reported.

Police personnel stated that due to the pipeline explosion, gas supply was disrupted to Quetta and several other districts of Balochistan.

According to police sources, unidentified men planted explosive material under the pipeline which blew up and caught fire.

Rescue workers reached the spot and managed to control the fire after four hours.

Officials said after security clearance, maintenance work would be carried out and gas supply would be restored to the affected areas within 24 hours.

Sabotage of gas pipelines is a characteristic tactic of tribal militants and is frequently witnessed in Balochistan. However, the province also suffers from attacks carried out by Taliban militants.