Gas pipeline blown up in Pakistan, three killed

QUETTA, Pakistan, May 17: Tribal militants fighting for more autonomy blew up a natural gas pipeline in Pakistan's troubled southwest today, killing a girl and wounding her mother and another relative, officials said.

The girl died when the 16 inch diameter pipeline passing near her house in Dera Bugti town in Baluchistan province blew up, Abdul Samad Lasi, a senior government official in the area, said.

In another incident, militants attacked a police station near Dera Bugti and killed two policemen.

Another policeman was seriously injured in a landmine explosion in the town of Kohlu.

Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest but poorest of four provinces, is home to the country's largest gas and oil reserves.

Baluch militants resent local resources being used to benefit other regions and reguarly blow up gas pipelines, rail links and power pylons, and launch rocket attacks on government buildings and army bases in the province.

Six police commandoes were killed in a series of landmine explosions at a training school on the outskirts of the provincial capital Quetta last week.

The simmering revolt escalated in December when rebel tribesmen fired rockets in Kohlu during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf has announced plans for major infrastructure projects in Baluchistan to win back support but authorities have vowed to deal sternly with the militants.

Reuters