QUETTA: Armed militants torched an oil tanker carrying fuel for Saindak Copper and Gold Project run by a Chinese company in Mastung district of Balochistan on Saturday.

A senior police officer who requested not to be named since he was not authorised to speak to the media told Dawn.com that militants from nearby mountains opened fire on two oil tankers in Choto area of Mastung.

He said one tanker caught fire while the other tanker remained undamaged.

The police officer said there were no casualties as the drivers were quick to escape the scene.

The oil tankers were supplying fuel to Chinese run copper and gold project in Saindak area. Chinese have been operating the Saindak copper and gold project for the past few years.

This incident comes at a time when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has signed eight mega agreements with the Chinese government during his five-day visit to the country.

Both countries have also agreed to build a 2,000 kilometre transport link running from the port city of Gwadar through Balochistan to Kashgar in northwestern China. The link will allow critical oil supplies from the Middle East to be transported to power-hungry China much faster.

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch is also accompanying the prime minister during the China visit.