Fire sweeps main Pakistan natural gas town

QUETTA, Pakistan, May 26 (Reuters) Fire swept Pakistan's main natural gas town today after suspected militants blew up two pipelines, setting ablaze some 50 shops but causing no casualties, officials said.

The fire gutted shops in Sui in southwestern Baluchistan,where Pakistan's largest natural gas field is located.

It was the most dramatic attack on Baluchistan's gas facilities since January 2005 when militants launched a rocket attack on a gas plant at Sui and forced it to close for nearly two weeks.

''Fifty to 60 shops have burnt to ashes because both pipelines were passing through the town but we don't have any report of casualties so far,'' a local police official said.

He said there was no danger to the gas field on the outskirts of the town.

Private Geo television quoted an official of the gas distribution company as saying supplies to several cities had been disrupted.

The plant was shut for 11 days last year after a rocket attack.

Sui accounts for 45 percent of Pakistan's gas supplies.

Baluch militants, fighting for more autonomy and control over the resources of the province, regularly blow up pipelines, rail links and power pylons, and launch attacks on government buildings and army bases in the province.

The simmering revolt escalated in December when rebels fired rockets during a visit by President Pervez Musharraf to the town of Kohlu.

Baluchistan borders Iran and Afghanistan. It has Pakistan's largest gas and oil reserves. Militants resent its resources being used to benefit other regions.

Musharraf has announced plans for major infrastructure projects in Baluchistan to win back support but has vowed to deal strictly with the rebels.

REUTERS DH RN0247