QUETTA, Aug 30: A main pipeline of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) near the Sui airport was blown up on Thursday and police have arrested 14 suspects.

According to official sources, militants planted an explosive device under the pipeline supplying gas from three wells and the Pir Koh gas field to the main PPL purification plant. The device exploded at around 6.40am.

A fire which broke out after the powerful blast was brought under control after supply to the affected pipeline was halted.

“The blast affected the 16-inch diameter gas pipeline connecting three wells of the Sui gas field and the Pir Koh gas field with the Sui purification plant,” Najam Tareen, DPO Dera Bugti told Dawn.

About four-to-five foot portions of the pipeline were blown up.

“Gas supply was not affected any part of the country by the incident,” sources said, adding that supply from other wells in Sui, Pir Koh and Loti continued.

“Engineers and other staff members restored gas supply from the three affected gas wells and the Pir Koh gas field only five hours after the incident,” an official said.

“We have taken 14 suspects, including the watchman of the wells, into custody,” the DPO said.