Pakistanis work to repair gas sabotaged pipelines

QUETTA, Pakistan, Oct 25 (Reuters) Militants blew up two gas piplelines in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan, disrupting gas supplies to thousands of people, officials said today.

Supplies were partially restored by today after militants blew up the pipelines supplying the provincial capital of Quetta and Kalat town in Baluchistan province in attacks on Monday and last night, officials said.

''The gas supply to Quetta has been restored and repair work is on to restore supply for Kalat,'' said a government official.

Residents of Kalat, a town about 248 kms south of provincial capital Quetta, were without gas during the Muslim holy festival of Eid today.

The supply disrupted when two men, described as ''terrorists'' by officials, entered the premises of state run Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Monday night and planted timed explosives.

Militant groups and tribal rebels are fighting for greater autonomy and more control of mineral resources in Baluchistan.

A poor, sparsely populated, arid land bordering Afghanistan and Iran, Baluchistan's gas fields provide supplies for much of the country.

Militants frequently attack government buildings, military installations, road and rail links and power lines, as well as gas pipelines.

REUTERS SAM BS1355