Gunmen attack Pakistani minister in Baluchistan

QUETTA, Pakistan, Feb 20 (Reuters) Gunmen attacked the convoy of a Pakistani government minister in the restive southwestern province of Baluchistan today but he escaped unhurt.

Minister for States and Frontier Regions Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind came under attack when he was travelling with a police escort near his village in Lando area, 150 km east of the provincial capital, Quetta.

''The attackers fired at the convoy with automatic weapons.

Three cars were damaged but no one was hurt,'' said the mayor of the area, Sardar Khan Rind.

He said it was too early to say who was behind the attack.

Suspicion is bound to fall on Baluch nationalist rebels, fighting for more autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region's natural resources.

The rebels in Pakistan's biggest but poorest province accuse the central government of exploiting its resources without sharing the benefits among its people.

They frequently attack gas pipelines and government and military targets in their campaign.

Earlier today, suspected rebels blew up a gas pipeline on the outskirts of Quetta, cutting supplies to four districts near the city and a 95 MW city power plant. Supplies might be restored to some areas within 24 hours, officials said.

President Pervez Musharraf has promised to develop the province which borders Afghanistan and Iran. He has also promised an amnesty for rebels who give up, but vowed tough action against those who do not.

REUTERS MS PM1747