QUETTA: Miscreants blew up two gas pipelines in Balochistan's troubled Naseerabad and Sohbat Pur districts on Friday, police said.

A senior police official, who declined to be named, told Dawn that miscreants blew up an 18-inch gas pipeline near Dera Murad Jamali, the district headquarters of Naseerabad.

The explosion caused suspension of gas supply from Sui to Uch Power Plant.

He said miscreants had planted explosive materials close to the gas pipeline. "Explosive materials went off with a big bang," he added.

Fire fighters were called from the nearby district of Dera Murad Jamali to put off the fire. Similarly the technical staff of gas company was also rushed towards the spot to ensure immediate repair of the damaged portion of the gas pipeline.

In another incident, miscreants also blew up a 6-inch gas pipeline in the Sohbat Pur area of Balochistan.

Muhammad Akram, a police official, said miscreants had planted explosive materials close to the gas pipeline. He said gas supply to different villages of Sohbat Pur district was suspended as a result of the blast.

There has been no claim of responsibility for blowing up gas pipelines in the area.

However, police suspect that Baloch separatist groups could be behind the attack.

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