RAHIM YAR KHAN: Multan police counter terrorism department has booked four suspected militants, allegedly belonging to a banned outfit, for their involvement in a blast that blew up the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) pipeline near Nawazabad in Sadiqabad teshsil on Monday night.

As per the first information report (No 05/20), SNGPL Deputy Chief Engineer (transmission) Muhammad Yousaf stated that he was patrolling along the pipeline on Monday night with supervisors Illyas Khan and Saeed Ahmed.

He said near Mouza Ahmed Abad, they saw four persons planting explosives on 30-inch diametre gas pipeline after digging a hole.

On seeing headlights of the officials’ vehicle, the suspects left their tools on the spot and entered a nearby sugarcane field to avoid arrest, he said.

He stated that in the light of their vehicle, the officials identified two of the suspects as Buggy and Chand. He said they could also identify other suspects on seeing them.

Meanwhile, the official said, a huge blast occurred, blowing up the gas pipeline that caught fire.

The officials reported the matter to Bhong police station.

He explained that Buggy and Chand were local commanders of the banned Baloch Liberation Army led by Brahamdagh Bugti who targeted sensitive installations in Pakistan.

On Mr Yousuf’s complaint, the CTD police registered an FIR under sections ¾ ESA, 21-i/7ATA, 1997, and 427, 435, 462-F of the Pakistan Penal Code against the four suspects.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020